
FAHGIERS' rfARO BODIES. 



o 














irdFoodCo. 

CITY OFFICE : 

400 North 3rd Street, 



RETAIL PRICES FOR THE 

BIRD FOOD GO'S PREPARATIONS. 



Althougli the Pliiladelphia Bird Food Co. prefers to 
sell goods only at wholesale, they will accomodate theii 
patrons by sending small quantities by mail, at prices 
given below, if the druggists or grocers applied to cannot 
furnish the desired arl/icles. 

Some of the arliSicies, such as gravel, etc., weigh, so 
much, that the postage amounts to much more than thi 
value of the articles. In these eases it is generally much 
cheaper to purchase a somewhat larger quantity, and 
have all of the goods shipped by freight or exi)ress, at the 
expense of the purchaser. Wholesale Price Lists will be, 
sent to those who wish to sell the goods again. 

Ketail prices, stated below, are for goods at our Store and 
also for the same goods delivered free of all changes by 
mail, at any Post Office in the United States or Canada. 

Remit money by Postage Stamps, Postal Money Orders 
or Express Co's Drafts. Be sure to address to 

THE PHILADELPHIA BIRD FOOD COMPANY, 
No. 400 North Third Street, 

STATIONS. PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



Premier Mixed Seed, 


10 cts. 


per pint. 


by mail 25 ct 


( ( u 


u 


20 " 


" quart, 




50 " 


Sicily Canary 


l( 


10 " 


" pint. 




25" 


a u 


u 


20 " 


" quart. 




50 " 


Red Gravel, - 


- 








35 " 


a a _ 


- 


- 10 " 


" quart, 




70 '• 


Silver Gravel, 


- 


- 5 " 


" pint. 




35 " 


" " 


- 


- 10 " 


" quart, 




70 " 


Bird Manna, - 


- 


- 15 " 


" cake. 




15 «• 


4< U ' _ 


- 


$1.25 


" dozen. 




1.25 " 



(continued on inside of back coveb) 



Digitized by tine Internet Arcliive 
in 2011 witli funding from 
Tine Library of Congress 



littpV/www.arcliive.org/details/birdfoodGompanysOlpliil 




1. MANCHESTER COPPY. 2. BELGIAN. 

3. SCOTCH FANCY. 4. YORKSHIRE. 5. NORWICH. 

6. LONDON FANCY. 7. CINNAMON. 



THB 



BIRD FOOD COMPANY'S 



BOOK OF 



CAOE BIRDS: 



Their Diseases and Remedies; with Instructions for 

Breeding and keeping them in constant 

Health and Sonff. 



THE PHILADELPHIA 

BIRD KOOD COMPANY, 

NO. 400 NORTH THIRD STREET, 



, PHILADELPHIA. 

18H. 



SF44f 



EntereU according to Act of Congress, in the year 1884, by the 

ASSOCIATED FANCIERS, 

In the Office of the LibKARIAN OF COKGRESS, at Washington, D. C- 

Gift 
Publisher 



<:=<■ 



^ SEED-EATING piRDS. 

iT^ — 

^ To this class belong all birds that live exclusively on 
1\ seeds. Different species require different seed, but the 
general management is the same. Canary seed forms the 
staple diet of nearly all varieties, and is grown principally 
in Egypt, Turkey, Sicily, and Spain. It is of as many grades 
and qualities as wheat, and here arises the reason of the 
non-success of most people with cage birds. They go to an 
apothecary shop, a grocery store, or a bird establishment, 
and ask for canary seed. Without examination they take 
what is given them ; which, in nine cases out often, is Smyrna, 
a variety of canary seed that is as hard and almost as indi- 
gestible as flint; is full of dust, and seeds of injurious weeds; 
and is often old and rancid. Consequently, the bird soon 
becomes dull, breathes with difficulty, and lingers on for 
months a songless ball of feathers, until finally death ends 
its miserable existence. 

The only canary seed that should be given to a bird is that 
grown in Spain and Sicily. It is larger and of brighter color 
than the inferior grades, and is easily cracked. Even this 
must be selected with much care, as sometimes on the 
journey across the Atlantic the bags get wet with salt water 
and the seed becomes worthless ; as it also does if not 
properly cleansed from dust ; or when more than a year old. 
The package seed with which the country is flooded con- 
sists of Smyrna canary seed or the cheap grades of Spanish, 
mixed with American rape and millet seed, and is sure death 
to birds fed upon it for a length of time. The seed sold 
at most bird stores is no better. Many of the brands con- 
tain hemp seed, which is very injurious to canaries and many 
other varieties of cage birds, and should be fed but sparingly 
to all species ; for being very fattening and heating, it ruins 
the digestive organs and spoils the voice ; moreover all seed- 
eating birds are inordinately fond of this seductive poisoq 



10 




and will scarcely eat any other seed as long as they Can get 

hemp. 

We have made the proper diet and care 
of cage birds a life-study and our package 
goods, it is believed, contain the only correct 
foods for all species of birds, that have ever 
been placed on the American market. 

Our Alixed Seed consists of a combination 
of seeds that is best adapted to nearly all 
species of seed- eating birds. The mixture 
is : fourparts, bestquality Sicily canary, care- 
fully cleaned and selected, and always the 
crop of the current year ; three parts, sweet 
German summer rape ; two parts, India mil- 
let ; and one part, Turkish maw seed. It can be had at almost 

every first-class drug store throughout the United States. 

The price is lo cents for pint, and 20 cents for 

cjuart packages. Be sure to see that the label 

is the same as shown in the engraving, and 

as you value the hfe and song of your birds 

accept no substitute. 

We can deliver one pint of our best 

Mixed Seed or of plain Sicily Canary Seed 

by mail to any P. O. in the U. S. for 15c. 
We also put up the Sicily Canary Seed in 

the same size packages as the Mixed Seed ; 

it is sold at the same prices. 
AH birds need gravel strewn on the bot- 

tdrtl of the cage daily, or every other day at the longest. 
Either Red or Silver Gravel may be used 
but we advise the former, as birds are very 
fond of it, and it helps to digest the food. 
Silver Gravel, although cleaner in the cage, is 
not eaten so readily; while, being sharp and 
glass-like in its nature, sometimes causes 
the death of the bird that swallows it, by 
cutting through the craw. 

We box both kinds, the price for each 
being 10 cents for the quart, and 5 cents for 
the pint size. The postage on one pint 
of gravel is 30 cents, so that our price 

when sent by mail is 35 cents per pint. 
A piece of Cuttle-Fish Bone should be kept conatantly 







11 

In the cage of all seed-eating birds, as they sliarpen their 
bills upon It and also occasionally eat it, and beine 
slightly salt in its nature, it is very benefi- 
cial. Every owner of a bird knows what a 
troublesome thing it is to keep a cuttle- 
bone between the bars of 
a cage, and that the holders 
that are sold are very un- 
satisfactory fastenings. We 
have patented a combined 
cuttle bone and holder, the 
simplicity of which is shown 
by the engraving. The entire 
surface of the bone is acces- 
sible to the bird, and it is 
held firmly in position until every particle of 
friable matter is gone. It is sold at 5 cents 
\ ^i lor a fine selected bone and holder, and it 

I i can be had of druggists, or will be mailed 

■ . on receipt of price. 

The canary breeders of the Hartz Mountains of Germany 
use a paste to keep their birds in constant health and song, 
and to cure nearly all diseases, the ingredients of which are 

a secret to all but a few of the 
peasants. Recently we came into 
possession of the recipe, and now 
manufacture the paste, having 
christened it "Bird Manna." It is 
put up in a little metal case (se- 
cured by /eiders patent), which 
fasten to the cage wires within 

years, and we have received thousands of testimonials of 
Its curing all diseases that cage birds are subject to, and 
causing birds to sing that were silent for a long period 

If given to a bird during the season of shedding feathers 

It will m most cases carry the little musician thfoShthfs 

critical period without loss of song. If used accorln^ to 

, directions, one Manna will last a bird many weeks "|an 

be had of druggists or will be sent by mail foTis cent" 



BIRD MANNA. 




^'~\ 



12 



SOFT-BILLED BIRDS. 




To this class belong all birds that live on a varied diet ol 
seeds, berries, and insects. They are more delicate in con- 
finement than seed-eating birds, but are finer and sweeter 
songsters, and well repay the extra care and trouble. 

Their diet should consist principally of Prepared Mock- 
ing Bird Food, but care should be taken to see that only 
our food is used, nearly all other being cheaply 
made and not fit for birds to eat; causing 
vertigo, blindness, undue fatness, and in many in- 
stances death. Here is the recipe from which 
most of the widely-sold foods are made : 

Roasted beef pluck, musty pilot-biscuit, corn 
meal, ground hemp seed, pulverized sugar made 
moist with lard. 

The ingredients of prepared food for soft-billed 
birds have always been kept a profound secret 
by professional bird fanciers; and it cost us $250 
to procure the above recipe from a prominent 
New York manufacturer of bird foods. After we learned it 
we found, as we had before suspicioned, that it was not only 
worthless but positively injurious. But it gave us a basis to 
work on, and after several years' experiment we produced 
a food the ingredients of which are as follows, only the 
proper proportions being reserved: 

Roasted beef heart, toasted wheat bread, and best 
quality maw meal ; ant eggs, dried sweet potatoes, pea meal, 
and dried currants ; the whole made moist with melted beef 
suet. 

This food is put up in jars holding nearly a pound, and 
sold by druggists for 35c. The contents of one jar of Pre- 
pared Mocking Bird Food will be sent by mail on receipt 
of 40 cts. Or dry to which the buyer can add the melted 
suet or lard to make it moist as needed, 25e., by mail 4Dc. 
The principal thing needed to keep soft-billed birds in 
constant health and song is, first, a good prepared lood as a 
. basis, and then variety. The food should be given plain 
one day; one part, grated carrot (squeezed dry), to three 
parts, prepared food the next; one part, mashed white, pota- 
toes pn another; and occasionally one part, grated sweet 



apple, and three parts prepared food ; and so on, varying 
the diet as much as possible. 

Boiled sweet potato is good for them, also boiled milk 
and ground toasted bread ; and a few ant eggs for a change. 

Every owner of a soft-billed bird should have a jar of 
meal worms, and give one or two to his bird every week. 
Nothing tames a bird so effectually, and in a very short time 
he will learn to take them from your fingers. They are 
easily bred by filling an earthen jar about three-quarters 
full with bits of old leather and bran. Put a hundred or 
more meal worms in the jar and tie a woolen cloth over the 
mouth. The cloth must be occasionally wet with water. 
Meal worms pro,>agate very rapidly, and at the end of three 
months there will be thousands. These worms will be 
found under old boards in a pigeon loft or chicken coop, 
in the meal chest of a barn, or among the lumber of a grist 
mill. We sell them for 25 cents per hundred. 

Shredded lean meat, flies, worms, and spiders are relished 
by all soft-billed birds, and should be given to them occa- 
sionally. 

Nearly all birds are fond of bathing, and a dish of water 
should be placed in the cage at least three times a week ; in 
cold weather it is best to take the chill of^'the water. When 
a bird will not go into the bath, dip a wisp-broom in water 
and flirt it over him. 



DISEASES OF CAGE BIRDS. 



Almost all the diseases to which cage birds are subject, 
arise from improper management. If duly fed on the correct 
foods, their cages regularly cleaned and kept in good air, 
disease will seldom make its appearance. 

Inferior diet, whether seed or prepared food, is the cause 
of almost all diseases; but colds are another prolific source. 
How frequently is a bird hung up close to the top corner of 
a window, with the sash down a foot, and a strong draught 
of air flowing upon it. Or placed in a room which is warm 
during the day and cold at night. In these and similar 
ways many fine birds are killed by taking cold. 

Do not give your bird lump sugar or other delicacies, H« 



14 



THE 
{PHILADELPHIA 

BIRD FOOD 



will eat them greedily enough, but they 
will ruin both his health and song. 

When a bird is in good health, his 
feathers are sleek and smooth, adhering 
close to his body. Whenever you per- 
ceive him sitting dull and bunchy, 
something is out of order. 

First, consider if the moulting season 
is approaching; if anything has fright- 
ened him; if he has been hung in a 
draught; see if he can get at his water 
and food, and that both are sweet. If 
none of these is the cause, then compare 
hissymptoms with those printed below, 
and procure a bottle of Bird Bitters from 
your druggist, and treat him according 
to the directions wrapped around the 
bottle. If the patient is a seed-eating 
bird, get him a Bird Manna to use in 
connection with the liquid. 

Asthma. — Symptomt: Short breath; 
opening of beak as if to gasp for air, and 
when frightened keeping it open a long 
time; and pufflng out feathers until the bird has the 
appearance of a ball. 

Bloating. — The skin on one part, or even the whole 
body, swells to such a degree that it is stretched like a 
drum. Pierce with a needle and the air in it will escape. 
Catarrh or Coi,i).-'Symptoms: Ruffling of the feathers; 
nostrils stopped up; tongue hardened by inflammation; 
beak often open and yellow at base. Use Bird Bitters. 

Chronic Sneezing. — Symptoms: A constant effort to 
relieve an accumulation of matter in the nostrils. 

Constipation. — Symptoms: Constant and unsi ccessful 
efforts to evacuate, and puffing out of the featlitis. 

Consumption. — Symptoms: Gradual wasting away, loss 
of appetite, and cessation of song. If taken in the hand 
it will appear as light as a feather. Use Bird Mnnna. 

DiARRHCEA. — Symptoms: The evacuation frequent and 
watery, which very soon causes the extreme weakening 
of the bird. Use Bird Manna and Bird Bitters. 
Dislocation of a Joint may be reduced by gently 




ts 

stretching the limb and pushing the joint in place, and if 
done before inflammation sets in the cure is complete. ,^ 

Fits. — This is a disease that must be treated at once or 
the bird dies. Pull out one of the smaller tail feathers, cut 
one of the nails so as to cause it to bleed, and as a last resort 
plunge the bird into cold water. Use the Bird Bitters 
according to directions to prevent a recurrence. 

Inflammation OF the Bowels. — Symptoms: Abdomen 
swollen and covered with red veins ; intestines red and 
swollen ; extreme emaciation, ruffling of feathers, and 
constant sitting with head under the wing. 

Long Claws, when they impede the movements of the 
bird, should be cut. This is a delicate operation ; the claw 
should be held in front of a light so that the veins of the 
nail can be seen and avoided. Use a sharp pair of scissors. 

Loss OF Appetite is quickly cured by Bird Bitters or 
Bird Manna. 

Loss OF Song, if the bird is otherwise healthy, can be 
restored by Bird Bitters or Bird Manna. 

Moulting season begins with most birds about the middle 
of September and lasts for six weeks. During this period 
birds usually stop singing, as the growth of new feathers 
makes such a demand upon their system as to render them 
weak and out of spirits. If a Bird Manna is kept in the cage 
of a seed-ealing bird nine out of ten birds will not stop sing- 
ing during the entire moulting season. Bird Bitters is most 
excellent to use as a tonic at this critical period for both 
soft-billed and seed-eating birds. A few drops put daily in 
the drinking water will tone them up wonderfully. 

Pairing Fever usually attacks birds in the spring, about 
the time the wild birds are mating. They cease to sing and 
become melancholy. A generous diet should be adopted 
and the cage placed in a window where the bird can look 
upon a cheerful scene. 

Pip. — Symptoms : Roughness of the feathers, drooping oi 
the tail ; a tiny white bladder under the feathers, near the 
vent. 

Red Mites. — If your bird looks lean and out of condition, 
if he is restless— especially at night — and is continually 
pecking himself, he is infested with mites. Throw a white 
cloth over his cage at night, and in the morning you will find 
it covered with tiny red insects. We put up a powder that 
is perfectly harmless to the birds, but will efj^ctually destroy 



^ 


v 


PB'iCS 
tSOKS 


1 




_r 



16 

the vermin. It is called Mife Exterminator, and 
is sold at 25 cents per package, and can be had of 
druggists or will be sent by mail. Take the bird 
gently in your hand, rub the powder over his 
body, especially under the wings, and at the base 
of the tail. Before replacing him, put some of the 
powder in a saucer, drop a coal of fire on it, and 
place it in the bottom of the cage, covering the 
latter with a cloth to keep the smoke in, and let 
it remain for a couple of hours. This will kill all 
the vermin that are hidden in the cavities of the 
cage. 

Scales on the Legs can be cured by anointing with 
Mexican Salve for a week, and then removing carefully 
with the finger nail 

Shedding Feathers Out of Season can be stopped 
by giving Bird Bitters or Bird Manna. 

Sore Eyes should be washed with the Bird Food Co's^ 
Eye Water. Mailed for 25 cents. 

Sore Feet arise from dirt or from fine fibres of wool, 
cotton or silk getting round them and cutting to the bone. 
Remove the offending substances, clean the perches or bot- 
tom of the cage, and wash the feet carefully in lukewarm 
water, and anoint with Mexican Salve. 

Sweating. — This is a disease peculiar only to hen birds, 
and attacks them while sitting on their eggs. The belly 
feathers and the eggs are saturated with perspiration. 

Swollen and Sore Legs should be bathed with diluted 
tincture of arnica. 

Tumors should be opened with a sharp knife and the 
matter pressed out; putting Mexican Salve on the place. 
Ulcers are cured by touching them with a red-hot 
knitting needle, and then anointing with Mexican Salve. 
Ulcers in the throat should be touched with a feather 
dipped in a mixture of honey and alum. 

Unnatural Fatness is caused in seed-eating birds by 
too rich food ; reduce the quantity given daily, that is put 
the patient on short allowance until he gets into proper 
shape again. With soft-billed birds, mix boiled turnips 
with their food and dry ant-eggs in the drinking water. 

Vertigo or Giddiness. — This is really a habit and not a 
disease.^and is caused by the birds in their endeavors to 
look up, to turn their head and neck so far around as to 



17 

cause them to fall off the perch. By simply throwing a dark 
cloth over the top of the cage a cure is effected. 

Yellow Gall is a small ulcer that forms on the head 
near the eyes or bill. While the pimple is very minute it 
can be cured with Bird Bitters or Bird Manna, if it is large 
when discovered it should be cut off with a sharp knife and 
the wound anointed with Mexican Salve. 

Bird Manna can be had of druggists, or will be sent by 
mail for 15 cenes. Bird Bitters costs 25 cents per bottle. 
If it cannot be had of your druggist, it will be sent by 
mail on receipt of price. 



NESTLING FOOD. 



Many people ■are deterred from breeding Canaries and 
other birds because it is so much trouble to prepare the egg 
and cracker for the young birds; and this must be made 
fresh daily, as sour food is sure to be fatal to 
the young nestlings. 

We have by careful experiment succeeded 
in preparing an egg- food for young birds, 
which will keep indefinitely and which is 
actually cheaper than fresh eggs at the aver- 
age current price. We will guarantee that 
young birds will thrive on it even betterthan 
on the customary cracker and the yolk of 
hard-boiled eggs. It is ready for immediate 
use and requires no preparation. 

In addition to its use as food for young 
birds, it is exceedingly beneficial as an adjunct to the ordi- 
nary seed diet of all hard-billed birds, and when fed to them 
once or twice a week will cause a marked improvement in 
their health and song. Its effect on the health of sick birds 
is almost magical, and its continued use will often restore the 
song of birds that have been songless for years. 

For soft-billed birds it is an absolute necessity, and a small 
quantity of. it should be given daily in the prepared foods 
used for this class of songsters. 

Nestling Food is worth 25 cents per box; and whe^ sept . 
by mail is 15 cents additional- 




THE IN-DOOR AVIART. 




HE Aviary we rarely hear of in aa 
American home, but in Europe there 
are thousands of by no means wealthy 
people whose delight it is to keep, to 
rear, and to study birds. There, a 
gentleman's mansion is no more com- 
plete without an Aviary than it would 
be here without a conservatory. 

But the custom of keeping birds is 
growing in this country in a surprising 
manner, and it will not be many years 
before the pleasing practice will be as 
popular on this side as it is on the 
other side of the Atlantic. 

The room selected for the Aviary should have a sunny 
aspect and be well protected from draughts. Arrangements 
should be made to have it heated in winter either by steam 
register, or a gas or oil stove will answer, surrounded ^v 
wire netting, so that the birds cannot fly against it and burnv.! 
themselves. If a conservatory or similar glass structure i?' 
to be used, it should be well shaded from strong sunhght 
avoiding as far as possible all 
extremes in temperature. 

Having selected a suitable 
room, furnish it with a number 
of small Christmas trees, se- 
lecting such as have flat, 
spreading branches; and ar- 
range them tastefully, singly 
or in clumps, filling up cor- 
ners, etc. If these trees are 
.aken up in the spring or au- 
tumn and planted in wooden 
tubs, they will grow and keep 
green for nearly a year, and 
can then be replaced by 
fresh ones. 

In addition to the trees, a few fantastically-arranged dead 
branches of trees; old gnarled stumps and roots can be 
placed where they will be the rnpst effective. If it js 




Fig. 



-CIGAR-BOX 



NEST BOX. 



r 




desired to keep and breed parrots or parroquets, procure 
the L"i'nks of trees in which bore, at different heights 
several augu^holes, both large and small ones. ' 

Regarding 
nesting places, 
the majority of 
the birds will se- 
lect the trees, 
but it is well to 
have a few boxes 
of different pat- 
terns scattered 
about to accomo- 
date such birdti 
as prefer them. 

A' wire iiesl, 

arranged for 

fastening against 

the wall, will 'be 

rr,^ , ,,^ sent by mail for 

MG. 3. — HOLLOW TREE NEST BOX. I2C. each Fi"- 

No. 2 is an excellent pattern which you can niake yourseTf 
from a cigar box. Fig. No. 3 is made from a portion of a 
small tree trunk, hollowed-out and with a hole bored in the 
side. This style is for 
parrots, parroquets, and 
other climbing birds. 
Fig, No. 4 is made from 
the husk of a cocoanut, 
and is suitable for Afri- 
can Finches and other 
species of tropical birds. 
Furnish a good supply 
of nesting materials, 
such as, fibrous roots, 
long, fine, dry grass, 
Florida moss, soft cow's t^^ 

hair, and soft feathers. ^ig. 4.-cocoanut-husk 

The hair, moss, and nest box. 

feathers should be suspended in nets; if allowed to lie 
about they will become soiled and unfit for nest-buildino- 
Cotton and wool should not be used, as both are liable ?o 
P^99me entangled in the feet of the birds, and cause thenj 




36 

to lose their toes and sometimes their legs by this means. 

The floor should be strewn with coarse white sand, which 
should be renewed frequently. Plenty of cuttle-bont- should 
ilways be kept within easy reach of the birds. 

The seeds witli which the birds are fed should not be 
strewn over the floor, but kept in a self-feeding hopper, as 
shown in Figs. Nos. 5 and 6. This can be made by any 
carpenter, or we can supply them in different sizes, from 
$2.00 to $io.co each. 1 his hopper is hung against the wall, 
so as to be inaccessible to mice. PYesh sods placed daily 
in the Aviary will furnish much amusement to the birds, and 




FIG. 5. — SELF-FEEDING HOPPER. — FiG. 6. 
SIDE VIEW. FRONT VIEW. 

be, besides, highly beneficial to their health. The food of 
soft-billed bircfs should be kept in a shallow tin tray, with 
a cover over the top to keep the birds from soiling the con- 
tents. The sides of the tray should be open, to provide 
access to the food. 

Whenever practicable, a fountain with running water 
should be introduced; but where this is impossible, drinking 
fountains of the pattern shown in Fig. No. 7 should be used. 
These are made of stone, and we can supply them at the 
following prices: one quart, 35c.; half-gallon, 70c.; gallon, 
|i.oo; two gallons, |i. 50, 



21 

Bathing is, of course, very essential; and no vessel is more 
suitable for the purpose than a large shallow dish; and 
this should be introduced for an hour or two every day. 

In such a room as described, soft- 
billed and seed-eating birds will live 
amicably together, make sweet music, 
and build nests and rear their young. 
Should any bird or pair of birds prove 
on introduction into an Aviary to be 
quarrelsome with their associates, re- 
move it or them at once before some of 
the smaller birds are killed or nests and 
eggs destroyed. A mischievous bird 
will sometimes do untold damage in an 
Aviary. 
By carefully reading the articles on the 
• different kinds of birds, you can form a 

Pjq - DRINK- ^^'^y ^^^^ **^^^ °^ what varieties are suit- 
able for the Aviary. We are always 
iNG FOUNTAIN, billing to aid in the selection of the 
various birds when desired. 




The Fronefleld's Cattle Powder Co., 346 Dillwyn;St., 
Philadelphia, Pa., will send by mail, free, a valuable 
package of their famous ( a.ttle Powder to every farmer 
who applies. The original, the oldest, the strongest and 
the best made. It may save .^ou hundreds of dollars. 



THE OUT-DOOR AVIARY, 

An Aviary built on a lawn and made in a style somewhat 
similar to that shown in the engraving, is one of the most 
interesting additions to a country-place that can be devised. 

There are many species of foreign and domestic birds 
that will readily stand the cold of the most rigorous winter. 
In such an Aviary we have seen Canaries flying about and 
gayly singing amid a January snow-storm. In the out-door 
Aviary matting should be hung on the sides exposed to the 
north and east winds, and perches should be erected under 
the conical roof, to which the birds can retreat when the cold 
is the greatest. Care should be taken in frosty weather 
to see that the ice is broken in the drinking fountain, so that 



22 



the birds do not suffer from thirst. If preferred, glass sashes 
can be fitted on the outside of the wires, and then the birds 
will not be exposed to the severe storms that prevail in 
some latitudes during the winter. Birds reared in an out- 




OUT-DOOR AVIARY. 



23 

door Aviary will be much healthiei and the percentage of 
deaths less than when reared in -doors. 

AVIARY GAGES. 




No. I. 

In homes where the necessary room cannot be spared 
for a properly-arranged Aviary, one of the large cages here- 
with illustrated will answer for a substitute that will be a 
constant source of interest and amusement, in these cages 
a number of different kinds of birds can be kept, ana will 
live in harmony. If the proper foods are supplied, both 
hard and soft billed birds can be kept together in one cage. 

Cage No. i is made of brass wires, set closely together 
so as to retain the smallest African Finch ; with base of 
oiled black walnut. It is 30 inches high, 35 inches long, 
and 1^% inches wide. It will comfortably accommodate 
about 35 birds. Price, $27.00. 



Gage No. 2, is 
made of close 
brass wires and 
black walnut 
box. It is made 
of two sizes, as 
'ollows: 14^ by 
23>^ in. It will 
accommodate 
about 30 birds, 
f^r'ce, with 
dome, ^2 1.00 • 
without dome, 
1 1 8.00. Size,' 
20x29 inches. 
It will accom- 
modate about 
40 birds. Price, 
with dome, 
540.00; without 
^ome, j^35.oo. 

Cage No. 3 is 
made of close 
brass wires 
with black 
walnut base. 





'i^Uiiaiiaii: 



No. 3. 



f/"^^',/4Xxi7X in. 
it will accommodate 
about 20 birds. 
Price, ;^7.oo. 

We will also make 
to order Aviary 
Cages of any size 
with walnut frame 
and tinned iron 
wires, at reason- 
able prices. These 
cages can be made 
of any shape to fit- 
m between windows 
or in corners. 



vi- 



TRAPPING BIRDS. 

The trappng of -"g »!;»-« ^^^^'^'^^^ 

the crane, the raven, 
the crow black bipav 
the common blackre 
bird nor the king-- 
fisher. These may 
be trapped in many 
ways. One of the 
best is by the use _ol 
the trap- cage here- 
with illustrated. A 
bird of the same spe- 
cies that it is desired 
to capture is placed 
in the lower part ol 
the cage. The trap 
is then set, and some 
attractive food scat- 
tered about. 

Bird Lime is the 

easiest and surest w.y of trapping^ ^^^clnTs^l'xt^a bv 
ready prepared, for ^5 cen s per can ^o ^«"\ j^ A 
mail. The manner of using it 'IJY ^iHo^ or 
bundle of long elastic ^^'.tches are cut^rom a w^^^ .^^^ 
birch tree, smeared over withjhe Bird Lime ^^ 

the ground, a few mches ^part. m the lorm ^ ^^ned to 

side of this a live bird is P^^^^f ; ^f or ^Sed bird can 

its body by means of a ''"j',^^^Xpr bran?Ls of rear growing 
be used. The bushes ^pd lower branches oi s ^^ ^^^^^ 

trees, upon which the birds are ^^^^^V ^o a.ig ^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^ 

be coated with the Bird I/"^^:. / t'^PAs l^oon as the feet, 
scattered about the I'n^ed switches As ^oon^ .^^ 
wings, or feathers of a bird touch tn ^^^^^^ ^ 

held a prisoner, and should be taken o ^^j^stance. A 

plumage becomes coated with the .^ bj^s to the limed 
stuff d owl will attract hosts ot small mras 
twigs We can turnish stuffed specimens ui 




»6 



variety of small birds, and send them by mail for fi.as each* 
owls, I3. 50 each. *> a ^.. , 

When birds are first put into a cage, a rubber band should 
be slipped over their body tind wings, to prevent them 
fluttering, and the cages placed in a darkened room, away 
trom all bustle and noise, until they become accustomed to 
cage life. 

Soft-billed birds make better songsters and become more 
tame, wheit taken from the nest, just as the tail feathers 
begm to grow, and raised by hand. They should be kept 
m a soft cotton nest, and fed upon a paste made as follows: 
Upon stale wheat bread pour boiling milk, and after it be- 
comes soft, squeeze dry, and mix with the yolk of a hard- 
boiled egg and a little finely-shredded lean raw meat 
This must be prepared fresh every day. Nestlings should 
be fed a little at a time, but often, and water can be drop- 
ped mto their open mouths from a quill. Even after thev 
can feed themselves, it is advisable to continue hand-feedine- 
^^dd"* d^ "^ grow more rapidly, and keeps them in 



STUFFING BIRDS. 



People who have become attached to a bird, e-enerallv 
desire to have it stuffed when it dies ; but those who live 
remote from cities have hitherto been unable to have this 
done. We are able to obviate this difficulty by givine 
directions for preserving the dead body, so that it can bf 
sent froni anywhere in the United States, reached by ex- 

AifSnn"ltir.i;''HT'°--'? sufficiently preserved to stuff. 
As soon as the bird dies, inject into its throat and anus bv 
means of a syringe, a weak solution of carbolic acid care 
being taken not to get any on the plumage. Then p4ck k 
m crushed charcoal, and send to us by express The 
asY.f J°L''"P "^-^ ''i^^' the size of a Cana^ry. is^Ji 00 ; one 
n^vfff f?. Robin, |i 50, the size of an Owl I3.50. The 
price of stuffing animals varies from |i.ooto«i'bo Glass 

wort?*r°^ST'"^ ??^^"^/' *« l^^*P°ff the^ust are 
We can supply almost all species of birds and animals for 



27'; 

collessions, mounted in the most artistic and life-like man- 
ner at prices ranging from 50c to |ioo. 

Money must accompany all birds or animals sent to us to 
be stufifed. 



PROPER CARE OF CANARIES. 




The best food for Canaries is our Mixed Seed, and plenty 
of red gravel strewn on the bottom of the cage and renewed 
daily. A cuttle-bone should always be kept in the cage, and 
also a Bird Manna. A bit of chickweed, a slice of apple, 
and a ripe fig may be given occasionally; but only as a treat, 
and not oftener than once a week. 

Never give them sugar, apple, cake, or other dainties. It 
makes them too fat, spoils their voice and causes them to go 
out of song. A bath should be given every day, if they 
will take one; in cold weather the chill should be taken on 
the water. Hang the cage where no draft will strike it. 
Canaries can stand almost any degree of cold, but a draft 
is fatal. When they are moulting (shedding feathers), if it 
is desired to have them continue singing, feed them twice a 
w^ek on our Nestling Food in addition to their seed diet, 
and keep a Bird Mannf constantly in their cage. ' They 



2S 

cease singing at this season, from weakness caused by the 

growth of new feathers, and the 
foods mentioned above strength- 
en them so much that they will 
continue in song even after they 
have lost nearly all their plumage. 
The moulting season begins in 
September and continues about 
six weeks. Birds that moult out 
of season do so from weakness 
or from having caught cold by 
COMFORT. MISERY, being kept in an Uneven temper- 

ature or the cage is placed in a draft. 

The engravings numbered i and 2 will furnish an ocular 
demonstration of how easy it is to inflict constant punish- 
ment on a bird bone by having a cage which is fitted up with 
unsuitable perches. 




BREEDING CANARIES. 



Canaries may be mated during the months of January, 
February, March, April, and May. The breeding cage 
shown in the engraving is a most excellent style. It is made 
of walnut, with tinned wires; and the price with nests, hair, 
and everything ready for breeding, is I1.25 The long 
breeds of Canaries require a somewhat higher cage, which 
is worth I2.75. In mating a pair of Canaries all that is 
necessary is to put the male and female together in a breed- 
ing cage and hang it in some quiet corner, about five feet 
from the floor. At first the male may fight with the female, 
or vice versa, but this quarreling isusually of shortdurat on, 
and they will soon settle quietly down to the routine of bird 
housekeeping. 

There should always be placed in the mating-cage a piece 
of cuttle-bone for the formation of shell, or the hen may lay 
soft-shell eggs. There is also required deer's or cow's hair 
for the construction of the nest. To the seed diet of the 
mated birds, should be added hard-boiled egg and cracker, 
rolled fine; or our Nestling Food, a little each day. 

If the birds have access to Bird Manna, they will feed it 
to their nestlings, and a more rapid growth will result, and a 
wonderful decrease in the number ol deaths will be noticed 



29 

When the male begins to feed the female, you may rest 
assured that all is going as it should, and now is the time 
to put a little cow's hair between the wires of the cage. Do 
not put in much at a time, however, as the birds will scatter 
it over the bottom of the cage and render it unfit for use. 

If for some unknown reason the birds take a dislike to 
each other and will not mate, it will be necessary to try and 
discover which one is in fault, and substitute another bird. 

Two hens can be mated to one male by using a cage with 
a movable wire partition, fitted up with two sets of nests. 
Such a cage is worth |2. 50. In this kind of breeding cage put 
the male with one female in one side of the cage, and after 
the hen has laid all her eggs, put the second hen in the other 




BREEDING CAGE. 

side with the male; after she also has laid her eggs the par- 
tition can be taken out and the male will help to hatch and 
feed both nests. 

After having been mated about a week, the hen will begin 
to lay one egg each day, until from four to six eggs are laid; 
upon these she will sit from fourteen to sixteen days, when 
the eggs should hatch, and in the order in whch they were 




3«3 

laid. Never disturb the eggS, or they may not hatch. Duf- 
ingthe period of incubation, the male relieves the female by 
sittmg on the nest, a few hours each day. Should either ot 
them become addicted to the vice of breaking the eggs they 
should be bountifully fed with egg and bread, which should be 
constantly kept within their reach. Should they still persist 
the eggs can be removed as fast as laid, and their places 
supplied with eggs whittled from chalk. When the hen 
ceases to lay, then return the eggs and all will go well. 

Three days before the hatching of the first egg, feed the 
bird in addition to her seed, half a hard-boiled egg grated, 

and mixed with cracker dust or pre- 
pared ''Nestling Food," and continue ' 
this diet until the nestlings are old 
enough to take care of themseves. 
Instead of putting this soft food in a 
saucer, as is the usual costom, have a 
tinner make a little tin box, as shown 
in the engraving. 
The young birds when weaned from the old birds should 
,be placed in a cage entirely away, otherwise fretfulness is 
encouraged, which it is well to avoid. A wire partition will 

,°4 ?!" 5 ^y °/ ^^ ^^^*^" ^'^^y ^''e fi''St separated, so that the 
old birds can feed them through the wires. When cac^ino--off 
young birds give them at first grated eggand cracker? or'our 
Nesthng Food. When they are about a month old, intro- 
duce seed in the cage in a separate pot or tin, with the view 
ot giving the birds an opportunity of finding out what the 
seed is intended for Generally, when about six weeks old, 
the young Canaries begin to shell the seed, and at that time 

!, .•iP'^kP°''^'°'^ ""^ ^P^^ ^°«^ '"^y be gradually diminished 
until the seed at length takes the place of the egg and 
cracker An increase of seed shells upon the cage bottom 

<i.Tu ^l"id« 1" reducing the quantity of soft food. 

When the young birds are two or three weeks old, and 
can eat alone, and sometimes before quitting the nest, the 
males commence swelling out their throats and trying to 
warble. The sexes may thus be distinguished, as the fe- 
males seldom try to warble, and when they do, it is always 
in a less marked degree than the males. 

1 It IS desired to make very fine singers of the young 
males as nne as the highly vaunted Andreasberg Rollers, 
they should be put m small wire cages, separated fram eacb 



other, covered entirely over with coverings of muslin, so 
that they can see no external objects and yet have sufficient 
light to feed by. These cages should be arranged around 
the walls of a room, the only tenants of which are fine sing- 
ing birds, such as nightingales, linnets, skylarks, black caps, 
etc., and one or two Andreasberg Rollers, or other trained 
Canaries. The young birds will acquire the fine notes of 
some or all of the other birds. Of course the longer they 
are kept at such a school the more proficient they will be- 
come. 

If a young Canary is hung in a darkened cage, out of hear- 
ing of the song of all other birds, and some simple air played 
to him on a flute, piano, or organ, three or four times a day, 
he will readily pick up all or a portion of it, and add it to his 
repertoire of notes. 

There are various points to be observed, and to contend 
with while breeding Canaries. By meddling too much with 
the nests or eggs, or allowing strangers to pry about your 
birds during nesting, restless hens will often forsake their 
nests and young. The young are sometimes killed in the 
egg by loud or near noises; such as thunder, the firing of a 
gun, slamming of a door, etc. 

A vitiated atmosphere will encourage uneasiness in hens, 
and sometimes cause them to leave their nests. 

iSome hens and males will occasionally pick and maim the 
nestlings. This is usually caused by vermin that prey upon 
the parents and irritate them, making them peevish and 
fretful. 

After the young birds are fourteen days old it is always 
best to put them in a clean nest and destroy the old one 
which by this time usually infested by vermin. 

When eggs are infertile it is nine times out of ten the fault 
of the male, and another should be substituted. _ 

Hens, especially young ones, just prior to laying appear 
dull, and sometimes so weak as to be unable to reach the 
nest. When this is the case apply a little sweet oil on a 
feather to the vent, and place the hen on her nest. Holding 
her over the steam of a kettle for a few seconds also aids in 
the ejection of the egg. 

When the breeding cage is hung in a very warm and dry 
room it will be beneficial on the day before the young birds 
are due to take each one out of the nest with a spooH and 
4ip it into tepid water. 



S2 

To produce handsome, yellow birds, the male should be 
a pale yellow, and the female a deep yellow bird. A dear 
yellow bird, mated with a very deep green hen, will probably 
have handsome mottled young. A very deep yellow male, 
mated with a very deep green or brown hen, often produce 
the highly prized Cinnamon bird. 

Never allow two crested birds to pair, as their progeny are 
likely to be bald or malformed about the head. 



BREEDING CANARIES IN A ROOM, UN- 
CAGED. 




Canaries will breed famously if turned loose in a room; 
and where no single variety is kept and no particular excel- 
lence aimed at, there is no better plan, or one more adapted 
to furnish the larp'est amount of pleasure at 
the least expense. The birds have more 
scope for freedom of action in a room than 
in a cage. 

No artificial heat is needed as Canaries 
will stand almost any amount of cold, pro- 
viding there is no draught. 

Do not mate them before turning them 
loose, but it is better to have at least twice 
as many females as males. Each male will 
pair with some particular hen and pay her 
speciiil attention, at least till she is sitting, 
when the chances are he will court some new 
fiG. I. flame; but he will not negltrcthisfirst love, and 
will continue to feed her on the nest, though, under the circum- 
stances, he will become general in his attentions. And it is 
strange to note the behavior of hens in an aviary. Two 
will sometimes sit on the edge of a nest feeding as assidu- 
ously as if each claimed the young ones for her own. 

By all means introduce male linnets; and goldfinches, 
either males or hens. Hen linnets will breed in rooms onl^ 
under special treatment, and then very rarely; but a hen 
goldfinch will build, sit. hatch, and feed as well as a canary. 
The progeny will be linnet and canary mules, and goldfinch 
and canary mules; and will in all probability be dark solid- 
colored birds. The hens will l>^ useless, but the males are 
(excellent songsters. 



33 



Range some Christmas trees around the walls and in the 
middle of the room. If, in addition to these, you can get 

any old roots or any such rough 
material, to place against or hang 
on the wall, you will find the birds 
will soon select the snug corners 
and begin to build. Give a supply 
of moss, soft hay, any buncn of 
fibrous roots you may meet with, 
or similar material, with which 
they will build the foundation of 
their nests; and plenty of soft doe 
hair. Add some rabbit-down, 
with which they will put the finish^ 
ing touch to a nest. 

We illustrate two styles of nest 
boxes; No. i any tinner will make 
for you, and No. 2 you can make 
yourself out of cigar-box lids. We will send by mail, nest 
baskets of wire, ready for nailing against the wall, for 12 
cents each. 




Fig. 2. 



BREEDING CANARIES FOR PROFIT. 



Besides being a most fascinating pastime Canary breeding 
when conducted intelligently, systematically, and on a suffi- 
ciently-large scale can be made a source of considerable 
profit. The spare time that nearly every man has before 
and after business is amply sufficient to care for even a hun- 
dred pairs of Canaries; and the business is one that is es- 
pecially suitable to be engaged in by women. _ 

Canaries are always in demand, and the better class of 
singers, the different fancy varieties, and especially mule 
birds are scarce and consequently command ready sale and 
high prices. Like breeding every other kind of live stock, 
the best is always the most remunerative, and we advise all 
who intend embarking in Canary breeding as a business, if 
they intend rearing singers, to select only the best singing 
males they can procure, mate them with females from St. 
Andreasberg, Germany, and to have a collection of wild 
singing birds, and the best grade of Andreasberg Rollers as 
teachers. When th^? young birds cannot be disposed of to 



1 iS 

advantage in the bleeder's own vicinity, the bird dealers of 
the large cities will always pay fair prices for good stock. It 
always pays best to hold the singers until May before sell- 
ing, as by that time the importation of German birds ceases 
for the season, and Canaries are then very scarce, and com- 
mand the highest prices of the year. The females should 
be sold about January, when they are in demand, and prices 
reach the highest point. The cost of feeding is only a trifle 
for each bird, and the percentage of deaths when the birds 
are properly cared for is very small; so that the stock can be 
carried to the season mentioned above with but little ex- 
pense and risk. 

The fancy varieties and mule birds it is best to sell as soon 
as they are matured. The prices for these remain about 
the same the year around; but the demand is always greater 
in the Spring than at other seasons of the year. 

Cayenne-fed Canaries are becoming fashiongi)le, and as 
this artificial coloring can be done by the breeder without 
risk, it will be remunerative to thus color some of the young 
birds at their second moult, and reap the advantage of the 
high price such specimens are worth. 

In breeding Canaries on a large scale it is a great advan- 
tage to devote a room to the purpose, arranging the cages 
around the sides of the wall, as is shown in the full page 
engraving opposite. 



♦ -^ 



MULE BIRDS. 



The mating of Canaries with the different species of cage 
birds and the rearing of mules is a most interesting pastime. 
There is the same sort of fascination about it that there is in 
investing in a lottery ticket. There is a chance of drawing 
a valuable prize, but candor causes us to admit that in mule 
breeding as in a lottery there are more blanks drawn than 
Drizes. 

A female Canary will mate with many species of wild 
birds, and the young males resulting from the cross will be 
superb f-ingers, or of fine plumage; in many instances Iboth. 
The female mules are useless and will seldom breed-. In 
mule breeding we advise that the birds be not mated earlier 
than May, and that the same general advice be followed 
as we have previously given regarding the breeding of 



.36 

Canaries. We now give a list of the names of birds that will 
mate with the Canary. . 

Linnet and Canary— Use only a male Lmnet, The 
mules resemble in plumage an ordinary green or gray Canary 
but the males are superb songsters and very imitative, 
quickly learning the notes of any bird that is within hearing 
and adding thereto their own song. This is also so, but in a 
less degree with nearly all mule birds. A Linnet mule in 
song is worth from Is to I50. , ^ ,j 

Goldfinch and Canary.— Either a male or female Gold- 
finch can be used, the former being preferable. The males 
are of most striking plumage, and are fine songsters. This 
is the easiest and most successful of all crosses. A male 
Goldfinch mule in song is worth from $5 to I75. 

Goldfinch and Linnet. — A male Linnet will sometimes 
mate with a female Goldfinch, and the result is a rare mule 
bird of curious plumage and fine song. These mules are so 
rare that no prices can be quoted for them. 

Goldfinch and Bullfinch.— This cross requires a male 
Bullfinch and female Goldfinch, and is even rarer than the 
one just mentioned. No price can be quoted. 

Bullfinch and Canary.— A female Canary will some- 
times mate with a male Bullfinch. The mule birds are ol 
beautiful plumage, have an indifferent natural song, but can 
be taught airs much easier than the Bullfinch proper. 

Greenfinch and Canary. — This is not a difficult cross 
to make, but the resulting mule birds are not very valuable. 

Siskin and Canary.- Use a male Siskin and a female 
Canary. This is a very easy cross to make, and the mule 
. birds are quite pleasing songsters. 

Chaffinch and Canary. — From the fact that the Chaf- 
finch is larger and stronger than the Canary, he is apt in 
mating to frighten the latter badly, and cause her to aban- 
don her idea of nesting. The cross is sometimes success- 
fully accomplished, but the result hardly warrants the 
trouble, the mules being of but little account. 

Many of our hard billed native birds can be suc- 
cessfully crossed with Canaries. There are many well 
authenticated instances where mule birds have been raised 
from a cross with the American Goldfinch or Thistle bird, 
the Nonpareil, the Indigo bird, the Bobolink, the Banana 
bird, and many others. ^ 



37 

DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF CANARIES. 

More than three hundred years ago a ship sailing from 
the Canary Islands, laden with merchandise, and having on 
board a few Canaries, was wrecked on the coast of Italy. 
The birds escaped to the timbered lands near the shore, 
where they bred freely, and would have become naturalized 
had not the sweetness of their song attracted the natives, 
who were possessed of so strong a desire to obtain them 
that al' were soon captured. The progeny of these birds 
spread rapidly over all Europe. 

m t m 

THE GERMAN, OR SONG CANARY. 



The song Canary is now bred principally in Germany, 
among the Hartz Mountains of Hanover, where the peas 

ants' chief means of subsistence 
is the breeding of these feathered 
musicians for the markets of the 
world 

The peasants manufacture 
small wooden cages from the fir 
wood which grows upon the 
mountain sides, and every I ird 
has a separate cage made entirely 
of wood; pegs instead of nails 
are used to fasten them together. 
In these little cages the birds are 
shipped to this country, and are 
kept in their narrow quarters un- 
TOPKNOT CANARY. til bought to make American 
homes cheerful with their merry music. It is estimated that 
about one hundred thousand Canaries are imported annually 
into America. During the passage across the ocean they 
require careful attention in feeding and watering. The 
cages are arrant: ed in divisioTis, so as to allow the attendant 
to pass between them to feed the birds and clean the cages. 
If cleanliness is neglected sickness is engendered, and many 
birds perish in consequence. 

The male canary is the songster. The female scarcely 
ever sings, and when she does her notes are weak. The 
male has a short, stout beak and a fiat* head, and is wide 




between the eyes, the wider the better. The crown of the 
head of the female is more round than that of the male. 

A fallacy quite prevale&t in some parts of the country is, 
that dark-colored canaries are the strongest birds and the 
best singers. Color in canaries has no more to do with 
their singing qualities than complexion has with the voice 
of the prima doima. 

In selecting a Canary it should be borne in mind that the 
feet and legs of young birds are smooth and glossy, and the 
loe-nails are short; whereas, old birds have rough and 
scaly feet, with long toe-nails. 

In Europe great attention is paid to improving the song 
of Canaries To attain this result two modes are practiced. 
A large cage is constru :ted with close partitions which ef- 




DIFFERENT TYPES OF CRESTS. 

fectually exclude the view from each other; a superior sing- 
ing Canary, a nightingale, or skylark, is placed within near- 
ing, but out of sight of the Canaries, who learn to imitate 
the melodious notes they hear. In six months they will 
have acquired perfection, when they are removed to separate 
cages. The other method is, when the young birds first 
try to sing they are separated from the parent bird, and 
placed in a room where just light enough is admitted to en- 
able them to see to eat. Then a musical instrument called 
a bird organ, is played for an hour each day in the hearing 
ot the young bird. . if undisturbed, they become attentive 



39 

listeners, and by practicing the song, are soon able to re- 
produce it perfectly. 

These trained birds are known as Andreasberg Rollers, 
and the finest of them have no "chop" notes, an(l are 
proficient in what are known as the water roll, the bell, and 
the flute notes. 

Both the Andreasberg Roller and the Hartz Mountain 
canary can be procured of several colors: deep yellow, 
light yellow, green, and mottled; and they are both plain- 
headed, and with a crest of feathers on the head 

Imported German Canaries vary in price according 
to the season. From October until April males in full song 
are worth ^52.50; and the remainder of the season, I3.00. 

The Wonderful Night-Singing Canaries, which sing 
as well by lamp-light as during the day, are worth I3 each. 

Andreasberg Rollers come in three grades; the low- 
est, which are much superior to the ordinary German 
Canary, and are worth I4.00 each; the next grade is worth 
$5.00; and the highest grade, which are the best singers in 
the world, are |8.oo each. 

Imported Female Canaries are worth |r.oo. 

THE RED, OR CAYENNE, CANARIES. 



These birds are the ordinary German Canary, whose 
plumage has been artificially colored by systematically feed- 
ing, prior to and during the time of shedding feathers, on 
crackers and eggs, highly seasoned with cayenne pepper. 
This color, which is a most beautiful red tint, is retained 
until the bird moults, when the cayenne feeding must be 
renewed or the plumage will come in of the ordinary 
yellow. No harm is done by this hot diet to either health 
or song. Any Canary can be thus artificially colored, but 
care must be taken in the selection of the pepper, as all 
commercial red pepper is adulterated with substances that 
are very likely to kill the bird. We have pepper specially 
ground for this purpose. Full directions accompany each 
can, which contains sufficient to last tlie bird during the 
time of moulting. Price, 25c. per can; if sent by m li!, add 
12c. for postage. 

Cayenne Colored Canaries, in full song, are worth 
from ^6.00 to |i8.oo each, according to the perfection of the 
plumage 



40 

THE AMERICAN-BRED CANARY. 



The Canaries which are bred in this country are, as a rule, 
neither so fine or constant singers as their German cousins. 
The reason of this is from the fact that those who breed 
Canaries here, are not careful in the selection of stock. To 
secure fine songsters it is necessary to have an excellent 
singing male bird mated to a female from a strain that is 
known to be singers; and then to have a superior songster 
to teach the young birds. 

It is so seldom that we can get good American-bred 
singers, that it is useless to quote prices. 

American-bred females are worth 50c. ; and from superior 
stock, 75c. each. 



THE CINNAMON CANARY. 



The name of this variety is indicative of its color, which 
principally distinguishes it from the German variety. It has 
also pink eyes, which are found in no other breed of Cana- 
ries. They are most excellent songsters, and are often 
taught to execute the flute and water roll as well as the 
Andreasberg Roller. Some specimens have fine, large crest, 
and very prettily marked mottles are often met with, whicli 
are the result of a cross with tlie ordinary yellow Canary. 

Solid Cinnamon Canaries males, in song, are worth 1:4.00 
to f 10.00; females, $2 00 to I5.00. Cinnamon mottles males, 
in song, are worth f3.co to |8.co females, li.oo to I4.00. 

A Cinnamon Male Canary mated with a deep yellow hen 
will produce beautiful mottled and very rich, solid cinnamon 
young ones. 

THE NORWICH CANARY. 

This variety is very compact in form and plumage, and 
is much prized for its beautiful color. They are very robust, 
free in song, and generally possessed cf a bold voice. If 
well tutored none but the German Canary can surpass 
them for melody. They are bred of several different col- 
ors, the most admired of which is de: p orange-yellow; be- 
sides which are buff, mealy, deep "reen and variegated col- 
ors. The crested variety which comes in all the above men- 



4i 

tioned colors, has a larger, fuller crest than any other breed 
of Canaries, that in a perfect specimen falls over the eyes, so 
as to nearly obscure the sight. 

The Norwich is the hardiest of all Canaries, and will stand 
a greater degree of cold than any other. 

Male Norwich Canaries are worth from $4 to $12 each: fe- 
males, $2 to j^io. 



^gi <i I am 



THE FRENCH CANARY. 

This breed of Canaries somewhat resembles the Belgian, 

but is smaller and more slender. The feathers of the breast 

5^ ^ ""^N. ^'^^ ruffled, giving a most odd ap- 

..^ 'a. %«t^ \. pearance to the bird. They are 

'^^^-S^ v^aPSft*' '^ bred of all the Canary colors; and 

z^* " "^A ^'^^^ crest, and plain-headed. 

\» * \ ^^^ illustration shows a French 

■t '*"^'*'''"'" * lAiw ^^^^^^y ^^t^"* ^'^ ^y^ mark, which, 

■I \^ t!*^^ ^^ professional fanciers is consid' 
» ), «r r Ir ered a point of great beauty. 
Wil. ' They are generally better singers 

than the Belgian, but are still not to be recommended for 
their musical qualities. 

The French, as well as all long breeds of Canaries, should 
be kept in taller and roomier cages than ordinary Canaries, 
so that their peculiar shape will be shown to advantage. 

French Canaries, males, are worth |3.ooto I15.00; females, 
I2.00 to J^ia.oo. 



^' » 



THE SCOTCH FANCY CANARY. 



This Canary is in ever /■ way a most remarkable variety, 
and as its name suggests, was created in Scotland. In size 
It resembles the Belgian, but the outline of the shape of a 
good specimen closely approximates a perfect half circle. 
They are bred of all colors, but the deep yellow is the most 
attractive. Their song is about on a par with that of the 
French variety. 

Scotch Canaries, males, are worth, ^12.00 to f 20.00- 
Ismales, |io.oo to |i8.oo. 



42 



THE BELGIAN CANARY. 




The Belgian Canary is without doubt the most dehcate, 
and at the same time, the most highly prized of any variety. 
They are truly noble birds, and any one who has ever 

possessed a pure-bred bird— not 
one of the so-called Belgian, which 
are so often seen, shapeless creat- 
I ures without one of the character- 
istics of the true breed, but a bird 
with "thoroughbred" stamped all 
over him— will at once admit that 
having acquired a taste for the va- 
riety, all others are thought very 
little of. They will stand and look 
at you without flinching, and draw 
near to you when you approach 
their cage; they seem to endeavor 
to show their gratitude for your 
kind care and attention. This 
is the case with young birds; even 
from the nest they do not seem shy, 
BELGIAN CANARY. and never fly wildly about the cage 
every time the person in the habit of feeding them comes 
near. They certainly require more care and attention than 
the common Canaries, but they amply repay this, asa really 
good specimen will attract universal attention, and is some- 
thing to be proud of. r -i 

They are bred of all colors common to the Canary tamily, 
but clear yellow is the one generally esteemed the most. 

Belgian Canaries, males, are worth I5.00 to $25.00; te- 
males, $4.00 to I20.00. , j , • 

Their voice is rather weak and wavering, and their song 
is short. 

THE YORKSHIRE CANARY. 

This is also an English breed of the long Canary, and re- 
sembles the French variety in shape and size, but lacks the 
ruffles on the breast thatis characteristic of the latter. They 
are both plain-headed and crested and are bred of all the 'j 
ordinary colors. 

>Yorkshire Canaries, males, are worth, $12.00 to f20.oo; 
(emales, $10.00 to $18.00. 



43 
THE LONDON FANCY CANARY. 



In all characteristics except the markings of the plumage, 
jthe London Fancy Canary closely resembles the ordinary 
[breed. The body color of the best specimens is a deep 
jorange, with which the black or dark flight feathers and tail 
jcontrast most beautifully. The young birds before the first 
moult resemble an ordinary green Canary, and it is only af- 
ter they shed their next feathers that the characteristics of 
the breed show. After a year or so the black feathers are 
replaced by yellow ones, until finally the bird becomes to 
jail appearances an ordinary yellow or mottled bird. The 
beak, claws, and legs of this variety should be dark. 
! The quality of their song is only ordinary, and they are 
kept and bred only for their beauty and novelty. 

London Fancy Canaries, males, are worth ^6.00 to 515.00; 
females, jj55.oo to $10.00. 



m-~*- 



THE LIZARD CANARY. 

The Lizard Canary, so named from a fancied resemblance 
of its green plumage, spotted with yellow, to the color of a 

lizard, is held in high esti- 
mation by Canary fanciers 
generally. They are stout, 
short, rather thick-set birds. 
In plumage, the top of the 
head in a line from the top 
of the beak, across the eyes 
and evenly around the back 
of the head, must be clear 
yellow; this is called the 
uTjAr. r,.- .T7At.T^ ^AMAi^v ^^^P' ^he fest of pluffiage 

HEAD 01^ LIZARD CANARY. j^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^t^j^ ^p^^^ 

of yellow on the tips of the feathers of the back, wing, and 
upper tail coverts. Lizard canaries are divided by fanciers 
into three classes : Golden Spangled, Silver Spangled, and 
Blue Spangled, the latter of which is the rarest. The 
Golden Spangled has much green in the ground color, the 
cap and spangles being of a deep yellow. In the Silver 
Spangled the ground color nearly approaches a gray, with 
the cap and spangles of a very pale yellow. When the 




44 



ground color presents a bluish-gray cast such specimens 
are called Blue Lizards. 

In breeding Lizard Canaries the best results are produced 
by mating a Gold Span- 
gled and Silver Spangled 
together. Until the young 
birds shed their nest feath- 
Lis they look exactly like 
a common gray or green 
canary, with a yellow cap; 

ihi- spangles being absent. As they advance in age they' 
grow lighter in color, so that they are in the final plumage 
when a year old. As songsters they are only ordinary. 

Lizard Canaries, males, are worth I5.00 to |i2.oo ; fe- 
males $4.00 to |io.oo. 



I 




FEATHER FROM BACK 



♦ ■ » ■ 



THE MANCHESTER COPPY. 



The Manchester, or, as it is sometimes called, Lancashire 

Coppy Canary, is the largest 
of all breeds. There is con- 
siderable grace in a good 
specimen, bearing a large 
crest on its head, and standing 
fearless and stately. The 
longer the birds are, and the 
better the crests, the more they 
are prized. Their song, al- 
though loud, is not very musi- 
cal. 

In breeding "Coppies" the 
same rule applies as with all 
other crested varieties. Matei 
a plain-headed bird with a 
crested one to produce the 
best results. 

LAiJCASHiRE coppv. Males Manchester Coppies 

are worth $10 00 to ^25.00; females, $8.00 to $20.00. 




45 



THE GOLDFINCH, 




In Europe this bird ranks next to the Canary as a popular 
cage bird, but in this country he has not, as yet, received 
the attention he deserves. 

The Goldiinch is possessed of an exceedingly sweet song, 
combining a clear metallic ring with modulated power, 

much softer 
and sweeter 
than the 
Canary's, and 
linked to- 
gether by a 
continued 
t w i 1 1 e r i ng, 
making the 
song last for 
a long time 
without in- 
termission. 

In the male 
biidtfee front 

of the head is blood-red; and the same color, with an in- 
tervening ring of black surrounds the base of the beak. 
The cheeks and front of the throat are white, while the 
whole back is a ruddy brown. The pinion feathers are jet 
black, tipped with white. There is also a golden stripe 
along each pinion. The tail is black and forked. The 
female is not as large as the male, and not so vividly red 
about the beak; nor is the black line that divides the red 
poll from the red beak so intense. The white of her cheeks 
is intermixed with brown. Altogether, she is not bright and 
sparkling, and has not suc'i bold, bri^t eyes as her mate. 
The Goldfinch is one of the most docile and intelligent of 
birds. When prop'-rly instructed, it will draw up its food 
and water. It is taught this by means of a chain and pulley, 
furnished with a soft, leather band, pierced with four hoh s. 
through which the wings and feet are passed; the two ends 
meeting under the belly, and sustained there by a ring, to 
which is fastened the chain, that supports a little tin bucket 
containing the seed or water. Whenever the Goldfinch 
wants either, he draws up the chain with his beak, fixing it 
at intervals with his foot, and thus obtains what he wishes; 



46 

but if two buckets are suspended to a pully, raising one 
makes the other descend, and it can only obtain seed and 
water in turn. 

The Goldfinch is of a restless disposition, continually 
hopping about and clinging to the wires of the cage, and i 
rattling against them. | 

When, in the aviary it sometimes acts in a domineering I 
manner, driving the other birds from the seed ; but will i 
seldom fight, although often showing ill-temper. , 

There are several varieties of Goldfinches that differ in j 
some slight respects from each oth^r. The one known as I 
the White-legged Goldfinch is larger than the ordinary ' 
variety, and has white instead of dark legs. The Cheveral 
Goldfinch has a white mark dividing the red below the , 
beak. Both these varieties are rare and highly prized by ; 
mule breeders. ! 

Goldfinches will breed as quickly as Canaries, in the 
aviary or breeding cage; they will also mate with Canaries. 
To produce the best results, an active male should be 
placed with a yellow hen canary about the first of May 
The male oflTspring will be magnificent songsters, and of I 
beautiful plumage. 1 

The Goldfinch thrives best on our mixed seed, with occa- i 
sionally a cupful of maw and lettuce seed, of which it is | 
very fond. They should be kept in cages similar to ai 
canary's. They are very fond of gravel, which should be I 
plentifully strewn in the bottom of the cage. ' 

A young male Goldfinch is worth |;2.oo, a female, I1.50; j 
a male, when in full song, from I5 00 to 1 10.00. 

Male White-legged or Cheveral Goldfinches, are worth 
$5.00 each. 



THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 

The American Goldfinch, or the Yellow Bird, as he is 
generally called, is found all over our land. He makes one 
of the most sprightly of cage birds and is readily tamed. 
The plumage of the male is of a beautiful lemon, with a 
black cap and lemon and white wings. His song, although 
not consisting of a very wide range of notes, is sweet and 
pleasing. Anyone can very easily capture one of these 
pretty birds by means of limed twigs or a trap cage; the 



I 4^ 

mSftflef of doing so, being fully described in the chapter on 
trapping birds. 
This bird should be treated the same as a Canary, and 




THE AMERICAN GOLDFINCH. 

kept in the same sort of a cage. An American Goldfinch 
in fine plumage and accustomed to a cage, is worth I1.50. 

THE GREENFINCH. 



This bird, known also as the Green Linnet, is about 
the same size and same shape as the Canary; of yellowish, 

green plumage, inclining to 
gray on the back, and lighter 
beneath. With age they be- 
come yellower. His song, al- 
though not of the highest order, 
is sprightly, and given with 
great heartiness. 

They are robust birds, easily 

kept in health, and require a 

cage similar to a Canary's, and 

thrive under the same foe i and 

treatment. They will interbreed with Canaries, but the 

mules are neither fine songsters nor of beautiful plumage. 

The Greenfinch should not be admitted to the aviary, as he 




48 



is apt to constitute himself a guard over the seed-hopper 
and attack every bird thai approaches it. 

A young male Greenfinch is worth I1.50; one in full 
song, I5.00. 



THE LINNET. 



The Linnet is one of the nicest of the finch family. He 
is more grateful for kindness, more solicitous of pleasing, 
than almost any other cage bird. 

During the first year of his life, the Linnet is called a Gray 
Linnet, from the 
color of bis plum- 
age. After the 
second moult, the 
red of the breast 
blending with the 
amber edges of the 
feathers, produces 
a golden hue, and 
the bird is then 
known as a Yellnv 
Linnet At the 
end of Uie third 
moult, the breast 
becomes a bright 
carmine, and the 
flanks the color of 
iron rust, and it is known as the Rose Linnet. 

Gray, yellow, or red, his music will be the same; even 
sickness does not end his exquisite piping; and the older 
he grows the better he sings 

The song of the Linnet cons. of a number of sentences 
or "jerks," as they are called, and each one distinct from 
the other, while the wonderful variety of notes is astounding. 

He sings both summer and winter, except during the time 
of shedding feathers. They are very desirable birds for the 
aviary. 

A male Linnet will mate with a female Canary, and the 
offspring will resemble in color, a gray canary; but the song 
of the mules will be very fine, and they are highly prized on 
that account 




49 

Linnets should be kept in a square cage, as 1"^^ they are 
less subject to giddiness than in round cages. They require 
fVi« camp food and management as Canaries. 
' YounI Sale or female Linnets are worth $1.50; and when 
in full song, from I5.00 to $10.00. 



THE SISKIN. 

The Siskin resembles the Goldfinch ^"shape although 
fl trifle smaller the bill is also sharp and pomted The 
lenSlTofcir of the plumage of this bird .a^ydlo wish- 

upper parts of 
the body, and 
yellowish-white 
beneath. The 
exes of the 
Siskin are quite 
easily distin- 
guished, the 
male bird being 
brighter, and 
having a black 
top to his head; 
whereas the 
^^^ ,„„„„„ ,. head of the fe- 

with a httle attention Dec y ^^^^ sweetness. 

areadmined. best mimics among ;the 

- ■ ^i,\"'£ ?fe will readily catch the ^^^ 
■ hTtea^s'and'^miTthem u^ in the drollest fashion, when 

"^Ss^S^he ^e Kcner^ tre^n^ as Canari^ 
aiS should be kept m the same kmd of ca^e. i ney wm 




50 

interbreed with Canaries, and the mules are often of hand- 
some plumage and fine singers. 

Male or female Siskins are worth I1.50; when in full 
song, $5.00. 

Siskins are sometimes kept in tinned wire cages with 
wooden backs. The price of such a cage is 75c. 



THE BULLFINCH. 

There is scarcely another bird as pleasing and engaging 
in confinement as the Bullfinch. Their pretty plumage, 
tameness, and winning actions, cause them to be general 

favorites. Their size 
is about that of a spar- 
row; the beak is 
thickly rounded, and 
black. The top of the 
■ head, wings, and tail 
are glossy black; the 
back, bluish gray; and 
the breast, red. The 
breast of the female j 
is gray brown. | 

Their natural song I 
is a soft, low whistle,! 
interspersed withj 
some curious sounds, 

THE BULLFINCH. and accompanied with 

bowmg and wavmgof 
the tail, and other grotesque movements. 

A Bullfinch may early be taught to do wonders; to kiss its 
owner, to come and go at comman i, etc. They can be 
bought already taught to pipe such tunes as "God save the 
Queen," " Pretty Polly Perkins," and airs from operas. To 
teach them to whistle these airs requires time and patience, 
more than the equivalent of the expense of procuring them 
already taught by poor and patient foreigners. They re- 
quire the same treatment as the Canary, but a larger cage, 

A male Bullfinch will sometimes mate with a female Can-i 
ary; but mule birds of this kind are hard to raise, and re- 
quire much time and patience. 

if you desire to teaqh a Bullfinch to pipe, he should bei 




51 

taken in hand when young, just as soon after he has been 
imported as possible. Let nobody tend him or supply him 
with food and water but yourself. Be very particular about 
that. His music lessons should be given on an empty stom- 
ach. Take his seed away from him the day before you be- 
gin the lessons, which should be given at day-break. The 
bird should not hear the least sound except that made by 
his teacher. If you are capable of whistling clearly and 
sharply you will need no instrument; but the tune may be 
played on a tin whistle, a flute, or a flageolet. Play or whis- 
tle the first bars over again and again, in exactly the same 
time; but do not give the little scholar many notes to digest 
at one time.** Fifty times is not too many times to repeat 
the notes at each lesson. The probabilities are that before 
the last time the notes are played he will echo them with 
more or less success. Now for his reward. Fling open the 
shutters (the lessons should be given in a partially dark- 
ened room), and pileupseed in his cup, and crown the ban- 
quet with two or three— just two or three hemp seed. Let 
that end the lesson. Allow him to eat the seed for a couple 
of hours and then take it away and do not allow him to eat 
more that day. The next morning he will commence with 
the notes in less time than before, and after he is nearly or 
quite perfect, go on with a few more notes. Reward him 
the same as before. _ Continue the lessons until he can pipe 
the whole tune perfectly and without hesitancy. 

If your bird is obstinate, as a punishmert you may blow 
him up, not figuratively, but actually. Walk sharply up to 
the cage and blow at him with your mouth. He will relish 
that so little that, after a few applications, a quick st^p or 
two towards his cage will be sufficient to put him on his 
best behavior. 

A Bullfinch is worth I3.00; a female, I2.50; one that pipes 
one tune, $15.00; one that pipes two tunes, $25.00; and one 
that pipes three tunes, $50.00. 

THE INDIGO FINCH. 

The Indigo Finch is a beautiful American songster that is 
deserving of more attention than he has ever received. He 
is about the size of the Canary, and the plumage is of a most 
beautiful blue, still more brilliant about the head. He 
changes his color twice a year turning blue to gray in the 




winter, and changing to blue 
, again in the Spring. The fe- 
male IS gray in color through- 
out the year. 

This Finch has quite an 
agreeable song which may 
sometimes be heard even in the 
middle of the night. They re- 
quire the same treatment as 
the Canary, but should occa- 
sionally have a little green ' 
THE INDIGO FINCH. food, such as chickweed let- 
tuce, celery, etc. They are very fond of bathing. A cross can 
be made between a male Indigo Finch and a female Canary 
A male Indigo Finch is worth ^1.50; in full song, $5.00. 

THE~CHAFFINCH. 

In plumage the Chaffinch is certainly a handsome bird, 
although the colors are soft and subdued. The head is 
dark bluish-gray ; the back, brown ; and the wings; black; 

the ends of the wing- 
feathers, white, and 
bars on the wings. 
The breast is pinkish- 
red ; the belly inclin- 
ing to white; the 
vamp, greenish; the 
tail, dark. The fe- 
male is smaller than 
the male and much 
duller in plumage. 

This bird is 3. most 
delightful songster. 
His short, sharp, 
clear, thrilling note, is 
uttered with that ear- 
nestness which is so 
fit,,.!, f THE CHAFFINCH. attractive. The Chaf- 

finch to smg well, should be kept in small cage a square 

or?.?^'"^,P''^^"''l'?'"- ^^^^ him on our Mixed Seed and 
occasionally give him a meal-worm or some ant egg- He 
Wll br§ed with a Canary. ^'"'^'SS^- "e 




53 




Male or female Chaffinches are worth ^1.50 ; when in full 
song, I5.00. 

THE RED LINNET. 

This bird which is often called the Purple Finch is a beau- 
tiful, large, an 1 cheerful songster. The color of the male is 
a rich, d,^i k crimson, which is deepest on 
the upper parts of the body; his tail and 
wings are of a dusty brown. His song 
is very sweet, and is somet mes poured 
forth for hours, with scarcely a minute's 
intermission for rest He is quite 
heardy, and will thrive on a diet of canary 
seed, with occasionally a little sunflower 
seed, by the way of variety. He will in- 
ter-breed with the Canary. 

There is no native bird that becomes 
tame so soon after being captured than 
this one. He begins to show his sppre- 
ciation of cage life by beginning to smg 
after a few weeks of captivity. 
A male Red Linnet is worth $2; in fuU song, $5 00. 

— » iw 

THE CROSSBILL. 

This is a curious bird, e'^pecially noticeable from the 

peculiar formation of the beak, 
from which it derives its name. 
' They are larger and stouter than 
the Canary. The head is thick, the 
tail and legs short. They climb 
about their cage, assisting their 
movements with their beaks, after 
the fashion of Parrots. 

The Crossbill is subject to great 
variation of plumage, being some- 
times red, and sometimes a green- 
ish yellow. The cage for this bird 
must be all wire, for it will soon destroy a wooden one. It 
"an be fed upon canary seed and a little hemp with a 
piece of sweet apple occasionally. 

The song of the Crossbill is somewhat harsh. The price 
of a male bird is I3.00. 




Mi 



THE SERIN FINCH. 




Tllli SiiKIiN FINCH. 



This bird is generally known as the St. Helena Canary. 
It is about the size of a small canary, the beak thick for its 

length and the plumage of a 
yellowish green, darker on the 
upper parts and more inclined 
to yellow underneath. The fe- 
male is not so bright in color as 
the male, 

Their neat form, and liveliness 
the tolerable sweetness and 
strength of their never-tiring 
song, cause them to be very de- 
sirable cage birds. The males 
will readily mate with female 
Canaries. They require the same cage and treatment as the 
Canai y A male Serin Finch is worth $5.00 ; a female, $3.00 

THE CIRIL FINCH. 

This bird closely resembles in habits and general appear- 
ance a green Canary. It 
is one of the liveliest and 
most indefatigable song- 
sters of all cage birds. 
Its voice, although not 
strong, is sweet ; and, ex- 
cept in a few notes in 
which it resembles the 
song of the lark, is re- 
markably like that of the 
Canary. It should be 
kept in a canary cage and 
will thrive on the same 
seed that is given to the 
Canary. In the aviary the 
Ciril Finch will mate and 
inter-breed with the can- 
THE CIRIL FINCH. ary, goldfinch, linnet, or 

with the siskin. 

young male Ciril Finch is worth $3.00; when in fiall 

8ong the price is |8.oo. 




55 



THE NONPAREIL. 



This is one of the most beautiful of our American Finches, 

and has a low. soft, and 
very agreeable song. 
He has a violet hood 
and neck, a red circle 
around the eyes, and 
yellowish -green back. 
The throat, chest, and 
under part of the body, 
are of a bright red ; and 
the wings, green. H e is 
rather smaller than the 
Canary, but requires the 
same food, cage, and 
general treatment. He 
is very fond of bathing, 
and should be indulged 
in this cleanly habit. 

A s )ecimen of the Nonpareil in good plumage, will cost 
^3.00; when in full song, I5.00. 

THE BOBOLINK. 




THE NONPAREIL. 



This is a bird that wears a black coat in the spring, with 
yellow epaulets; and 
dons a sober suit of rus- 
set brown in the 
autumn. He changes 
his name with his 
feathers, for in the 
spring he is the Bobo- 
link, and la'.er his cog- 
nomen is Reedbird. He 
is a merry songster, 
and makes an attract- 
ive cage bird. He re- 
quires a diet of plain 
canary s^ed and s^ould 
be kept in a small-size 
Mocking Bird cage. 

The Bobolink should the bobolink. 




56 

always be kept on a short allowance of seed, three table- 
spoonfuls beirg enough for a day's allowance. He is such 
a perfect glutton, that if allowed an unlimited supply of 
seed, he will do l^ut little singing. 

With the plumage of the Reedbird he is worth 75c, 
After he assumes that of the Bobolink, the price increases 
to $1.50 ; and when in full song, to $3.00. 



■^ag" ^ 



THE CARDINAL GROSBEAK, OR RED BIRD. 



3-0 



m:^, 




This is one of the most attractive of our native birds, and 
's deserving of more attention than has ever been bestowed 
upon him, as much on account of his brilliant plumage as 
for his melodious whistling. 

Ke is known by several aliases, among others, the Vir- 
ginia Nightingale, from his habit of singing in th^ night, and 
the Red Bird, from the color of his plumage. In length he 
is about seven inches. The plumage is of a rich vermillion- 
red over the entire body, with a darker shade of the same 
color on wings and tail; the face, cheeks, throat, feet, and 
legs are black; the bill, red. The head is surmounted with 
a tuft of brilliant red feathers, which the bird is capable of 
erecting at will. 

The female is of a rich brown, with some red on breast 
and wings; and, though not so striking in appearance as 
her husband, is equally as beautiful, and is often as good a 
wbictler. 



si 



During the spring months he sings his melody all day 
long, and often far into the night. There is a great differ- 
ence in individuals as to musical abiUty, but no more so thar. 
among other birds; as the Mocking-bird, for instance. 

The Cardinal Grosbeak is naturally a very active bird; 
a..u his cage should be a good sized one, as large as for a 
Mocking-bird; otherwise he will damage his feathers. Hang 
him up quite high, so that he may not be i:ieedlessly dis- 
turbed. The floor of the cage should be strewn with red 
gravel or silver sand. He will thrive well on canary seed; 
with un hulled rice and cracked corn, and occasionally a 
little hemp seed. His drink should be of soft water; hard 
or lime water having a tendency to make him costive; 
which, if not cured, will soon carry him off". 

Do not keep him too warm, as he is very hardy, endur- 
ing the inclemencies of severe winters with great mvl':''^- 
erence. 

' The price of a young Cardinal Grosbeak, that is just be- 
ginning to whistle, is I3 00. Birds in full_ song, range from 
I5.0 1 to |io.oo, according to their proficiency. A suitable 
cage in walnut and tinned wire, will cost ^2.00; in brass 
the price is I7.50. 

THE BRAZILIAN CARDINAL. 



This sleek bird, prettily marked gray, white, and black, 
with crimson head and crest, is sure to have the attention 

of every beholder. His 
great activity and his 
considerable size require 
a roomy cage, wherein, 
with fair treatment, he 
will keep his plumage in 
perfect condition, entire- 
ly indifferent as to the 
temperature in which he 
is kept. The song, or 
rather whistle.of this bird, 
is loud and clear, and he 
sings at all seasons of the 
year except while moult- 
ing. The female is of 
the same beautiful pluip" 




58 

age as the male, and is equally as good a whistler. Feed 
upon plain canary seed, with an occasional meal of ant eggs 
and insects. 

A good specimen of the Brazilian Cardinal is worth I5.00; 
when in full song, |io.oo. 



THE JAVA SPARROW. 



No foreign bird is so generally known as the Java Spar- 
row. It is rather handbome and especially remarkable for 
the very perfect condition in which it will always keep its 
plumage. The soft slate-colored body feathers are always 

as close as they can lie, the 
large white patches on the cheeks 
are ever clean, the black face and 
throat skin like new velvet, and 
the wax-like beak is pink, and 
looks as if just modeled from 
wax. 

No bird is so easily kept and 
01 so little trouble as the Java 
Sparrow; it needs only plain 
canary seed, and can be kept in 
either a round or square canary 
cage. Although without song, yet his extreme docility and 
the ease with which tricks can be taught him, make him a 
popular cage bird. A pair will breed in a cage as readily as 
Canaries, and the number of broods they will rear in a year, 
if permitted, almost surpasses belief. 

White Java Sparrows are not, as many suppose, albinos, 
but a separate variety that are bred by the Japanese, who 
originated them Java Sparrows are generally kept in pairs 
and are worth $4 f o for a male and female; tne white variety 
is sold at |io.oo per pair. 




THE HAWFINCH. 



This bird is one of the largest of the Finch family. It is 
about seven inches long and very stouily made. The gen- 
eral plumage is drab inclining to chestnut on the uppei 
parts and grayer beneath. Most of the tail and large wing 




THE HAWFINCH. 

A male Hawfinch is worth 



59 

feathers are black, hav- 
ing a large white spot on 
the inner vein. The 
Hawfinch is very docile, 
and good tempered in 
confinement; and the 
male will pair with a 
hen Canary. 

The song contains 
some pleasing notes, but 
their continual cry of 
"itz, itz," makes them 
rather unpleasant as 
cage birds, but they do 
splendidly in the aviary. 
They require a diet of 
canary seed, with oats, 
buckwheat, or millet af 
an occasional change, 
oo; a pair of them, ^5.00. 



TITMICE. 



The only variety of Titmice that is kept as pets in this 
country is the Blue Tit, or Tom Tit, as it is familiarly called. 
The plumage is very beautiful. The front of the head and 

the sides are 
white and a streak 
of the same ex- 
tends backwards 
over the eyes to 
the nape of the 
neck. Within this 
Dearly setting is 
lis crown of azure 
u ue. His back 
IS of a bright olive 
green, the under 
part of the throat 
is black; the wings 
sky blue, tioped 
TH5 BI.UE TIT. with white; " and 




eo 



The female is of more 



the tail as brilliant as the crown, 
sober plumage than, the male. 

The Tit is a most active and amusing bird, and is easily 
tamed. Its song is an indistinct warbling composed of a 
few strains, with high notes interspersed. 

1 hey should be fed on our Mixed Seed, with an occa- 
sional meal of ant eggs and meal worms. They are so 
expert with their bill that they must be kept in an all-metal 
cage with close wires. A suitable cage in solid brass costs 
I3 50. These birds are generally soM in pairs, male and 
female Tits, $8.co. Singly, the male is worth I5.00. 



THE WHIDAH BIRD. 




This rare and beautiful bird, sometimes wrong'y called 
the Window Finch, is much admired on account of its odd 
appearance. ^ 

Its size is about that of the Canary, but in the male bird 
two of the feathers of the tail attain the length of thirteen 
inches. The head, chin, front of the neck, back, wings, an*^ 
tail are black. The back of the neck is light orange; the 
breast, upper part of the belly, and thighs are white. In the 
winter the plumage changes to a daik b'own, and the tail 
feathers are of the ordinary length. The female resembles 
the male in his winter attire. 

These birds are lively and in constant motion, and tak» 



6i 

great delight in bathing and keeping their plumage in per- 
fect condition. Their song is rather melancholy and not 
loud, yet on the whole agreeable. They are very hardy, 
and thrive on canary seed alone; but a little occasional 
green food is beneficial. They must be kept in a high cage 
or their tail will get worn off. For the aviary they are 
among the most showy birds that can be selected. 

A male Whidah bird in perfect plumage is worth |8; a 
female, $4, 



m * 



THE WEAVER BIRD. 



This_ is one of the most interesting families of foreign 
cage birds. Kept in an aviary, where they will display their 
wonderful ingenuity in nest building, no more amusing pets 

can be found. Even m a 
roomy cage, in which a few 
branches and a quantity of 
stiff fibre has been placed, 
the male of a jiair of Weaver 
Birds will, without delay, 
begin to build nest after 
nest, probably pulling most 
of them to pieces, when 
lialf finished, if their con- 
'truction does not entirely 
please the proud architect. 
There are many varieties of 
these curious birds, the 
most common of which is 
in general color a dull yel- 
low blotched with brown; 
It suspends a skillfully-woven 
nest, in the shape of an inverted flask, the entrance being 
at the extremity of a prolonged neck, through which is the 
passage to a snug little chamber in the round body of the 
nest itself. This variety of Weavef Bird is worth |6.oo per 

S)air. Other birds, of more resplendent plumage, vary 
rom J58.0O to $25.00 pe.' pair. 




THE WEAVER BIRD. 

the throat being black. 



6i 



RED-WINGED BLACKBIftD. 



This is a very handsome bird, the male of which is glossy 
black all over, with the exception of the shoulders, which are 
yellow and red. The female is of a sober gray. 

The male has a clear, cheery note; and makes a most ex- 
cellent and very attractive cage bird. In confinement they 
thrive on a diet of canary seed. Like the Bobolink, they 
will get too fat if the amount fed to them is not restricted to 
three tablespoonfuls a day. 

They require a small size Mocking Bird cage, and in addi- 
tion to seed should have an occasional meal of Mocking 
Bird Food and ant-eggs. 

A male Red- winged Blackbird is worth $1.50; in full 



song, 



.00. 



THE YELLOWHAMMER. 



ss_ 



The plumage of the male Yellowhammer is certainly 

attractive. 
The head 
and throat 
are of a 
clear.bright, 
pale yellow, 
and the gen- 
eral plum- 
age of the 
body is an 
Olive brOwn. 
The young 
males are of 
a yellowish- 
gray, until a 
year old ;and 

the females are always of this color. They are very good 
singers, and make nice cage birds. In size they are some- 
what larger than the Canary. They will eat canary seed, 
oats, and other seeds; but their diet should be varied often 
by feeding them on hard-boiled eggs, ant eggs, and meal 
worms. They are very fond of insects and will greedily 
catch and eat every fiy that gets within their reach. 
A male Yellowhammer is worth ^2.50. 




THE YELLOWHAMMER. 



THE ROSE-BREASTED GROSBEAK. 



This magnificent bird is very little known, yet few birds 
surpass him in brilliancy of plumage or sweetness of song. 
Night, as well as day, he pipes his merry notes, which are 
clear and mellow. He has a bright carmine breast, and 
a body part white, part black. He requires a diet of 
canary seed, and a small-sized Mocking Bird cage. A good 
specimen of this bird is worth I5.00. 

Very hardy, he will stand almost any degree of cold; 
while if kept in a hot room his song soon fails, and he sits 
on his perch, dumpy and unhappy. 



THE CITRIL FINCH. 



This bird is also closely allied to the Canary, and is often 
called the Italian Canary. By some writers it is supposed 
that the domestic Canary first originated by crossing the 
wild Canary with the Finch. In form and color it closely re- 
sembles the common Canary, except that it is rather slighter 
in build. The plumage is very beautiful, and the song re- 
sembles that of the Canary, only it is not so shrill, but more 
flute-like. They will breed readily in the aviary, and the 
males will inter-breed with female Canaries, It is perhaps 
unnecessary to add, that the same general treatment is re- 
quired as for Canaries. 

The male Citril Finch is worth I5.00; the female, $3.00. 



THE BOHEMIAN WAXWING. 



This bird, also known as the Cedar Bird, is of very beauti- 
ful soft-colored plumage, and has a singular appendage to 
the wings, bearing a striking resemblance to a drop of red 
sealing-wax. Its note is not unlike that of the Thrush, but 
is more uncertain and weaker. While singing it agitates the 
crest on its head. It requires a Mocking Bird cage, which 
should not be kept in too warm a room, as it is a very hardy 
bird and lik^s cold weather. It requires Prepared Mocking 
Bird Food. A male specimen of the Bohemian Waxwing, 
in good plumage will cost I3.00. 



64 



AFRICAN FINCHES. 



These diminutive Finches 




THE NUTMEG FINCH. 

close wires, as thej' 
can easily escape 
through the bars of an 
ordinary canary cage. 

The room in which 
they are kept should 
never be below 60° in 
winter. Many of the 
varieties will breed in 
a cage or in the aviary. 

It is usual to keep a 
collection of from six 



vary in size from that of a 
Canary down to almost 
the smallness of a hum- 
ming bird. They are 
always kept in pairs, 
and they spend much 
of their time in caress- 
ing and arranging each 
others feathers. They 
are fed upon maw, ca- 
nary, and millet seed; 
and require a cage with 





THS -WAKmLkt 



THE AVADAVAT. 

to fifty in one cage. VVe furuis'i a 
walnut cage suitable for six pal s 1 f 
these birds for $x 00; one of br -, 
that will comfortably arcommoiLiV,- 
four pairs, $t, 25. It w uld be 11- - 
less to enumerate all of these ijrii- 
lianthued birds, as there are hun- 
dreds of different kinds; so only the 
varieties mo t frequently met with 
are described. 

The Chestnut Finch, or Nut- 
Ms@ Mmoi, is very eunQ»§Iy markedi 



65 




THE ZEBRA. 



rich chocolate on the 

back, and with numer- 
ous white crescents on 

the lower body. By 

no means delicate, 

these birds will live 

for years in a cage or 

an aviary, and they 

will not require very 

particular care. 
The Ay ad av at is 

one of the smallest of 

Finches, and is viva- 
cious and graceful in 

his movements. His 

plumage is dark 

brown, with a carmine 

tint, and covered all 

over with small pearl-white spots; the 
beak is coral-red. The female is 
more soberly attired. Both sexes 
have a sweet, melodious song. They 
will breed in an aviary or cage, if sup- 
plied with the proper accommoda- 
tions. The breeding season with 
them begins about Christmas. 

The Waxbill has a grayish-brown 
plumage, marked with extrerhely 
faint wave-like dark lines athwart the 
body. The abdomen is of a very 
bright roseate 
hue, which is 
brightest in 
THE silverbeak. the Centre, 

and fainter towards the sides and 
chest. The beak is red. When the 
bird sings, the tail is extended to a 
fan shap». Male and female are 
alike, and both are equally active 
and cheerful, and among the hard- 
iest of the Finches. There are sev- 
eral varieties of the Waxbill, which 
differ in minor points. white-headed nun. 





66 




The Zebra is vefy small 
in size, and his plumage is a 
dark greenish-brown on the 
back; the throat, chest, and 
lower body are pale yellow, 
with a diffused patch of bright 
orange about the middle of 
the lower part of the body. 
The beak is red, and a red 
line extends from the beak 
through the eye towards the 
ear. The female is without 
the orange on the lower part 
THE WANAKiN, of the body. They make 

most bright and intelligent pets. 
The Silverbeak is exceeding- 
ly amiable in the aviary, and very 
easily kept, bred, and reared. 
The upper part of the body is 
fawn; the wings and tail, a shade 
darker; and the lower part of the 
body, white; the beak is silver- 
gray. The male constantly sings 
a pleasing little song. 

The White-Headed Nun, or 
Meja Finch, is of a soft chestnut- 
brown all over, except the head, 

which is 
a silver- 
gray, delicately shaded where 
neck joins the shoulders. 

The Black-Headed Nun is of a 
bright rich chestnut brown; the head, 
neck, and upper part of the breast 
being deep black. 

The Cut-Throat has a red band 
extending from ear to ear across the 
throat. The female is without this 
band. The soft fawn color and deli- 
cate markings of the rest of the 
plumage are remarkably pretty. 
piAMoND sparrow. They will readily breed in a cage,' 





the cut-throat. 



the 



67 




The Diamond Sparrow's head and back are silver-gray 

the wings and tail darker 

gray; the breast and lower 

part of the body chest- 
nut, ornamented with 

irregular white spots; the 

chest is crossed by a band 

of velvet black; and the 

end of the back and root 

of the tail is of a rich crim- 
son. 
The Magpie Finch, or 

Bronze Wanakin is of a 

glossy black, with tinges 

of purple and violet on 

the head, throat, wings, 

and back; on the breast 

he is pure white. He is 

very playful, and will mate 

and breed readily. the orange cheek. 

The Orange Cheek Waxbill has quite a pleasant 

song. In color he is mainly of a light grayish brown, 

with orange spots on his cheeks, from which he derives 

his name. On the abdomen there is also a patch of 

orans^e; the tail is dark brown, with a crimson root. The 

beak is coral red. 

The Cordon-Bleu 
is one of the showiest 
of Finches, and is a 
sprightly singer. The 
plumage xs pale 
brownish gray on the 
back; the face, throat, 
chest, and tail of pale 
sky blue. The cheeks 
of the male are orna- 
mented with crimson 
patches. 

The prices of Afri- 
can Finches vary 
from I4.00 to $jr,.(0 
per pair, according to 
THE CORDON-BLEU. the variety. 




68" 



The Fire Finch rs of dark red 
plumage, except the back and tail, 
which are dark greenish-brown. On 
the sides there are a few minute spots, 
which, however, are frequently absent 
in young birds. The beak is coral- 
red, and around the eye is a narrow,' 
straw-colored ring. The female is 
dark brown, with a little red at the 
root of the tail, and the same tiny 
white spots on the sides. They will 
readily build a nest, provided they 
feel at home, and the climate is hot 
enough to remind them of Central 
Africa. 

The Cinder Finch is of delicate 
soft lavender or pale slate, all over the body. The lower 
part of the body and the tail are purple, and the beak crim- 
son. A line of black runs from the beak beyond the eye. 
They will breed freely. 




THE magpie finch. 



THE MOCKING BIRD. 



We should take especial pride in the mocking bird ; Car 
it is a bird peculiar to the American continent. Its torrent 
of mimicry pours upon us the songs of a dozen different 
birds ; and many of the cries heard in the barnyard. This 
unique songster unites in itself more excellencies than any 
other bird possesses. Spring, summer, and autumn, its 
harmonious and varied song thrills and holds spell-bound 
the listener. The pipe of the canary ; the mellow whistle 
of the cardinal; the wild song of the thrush; tha shrill 
scream of the eagle ; the exquisite warble of the bluebird ; 
the mourning of the dove; the cock's crow; the hen's 
cackle; the cry of the katydid ; the g' unt of the pig ; and 
the infernal noise of quarreling cats : — all this medley issues 
in rapid succession from that master-mimic, the Mocking 
Bird ! No wonder that it is a general favorite. 

The Mocking Bird is not showy in appearance , but its 
well-shaped form and lively and graceful motions make it 
an attractive househoM pet, apart from its song. It meas- 
ures nine-and-a-half inches in length ; and at an expanse o/ 



^9 

wings, thirteen inches. The upper part of the head, neck, 
and back is dark brownish-ash; the wings and tail arc 
nearly black ; the primary feathers are while, the first and 
second row of coverts, tipped with white. The tail is cunei- 
form ; the two outer feathers are wholly white, the others, 
except the middle ones, tipped with white. The neck, 
breast, and whole under parts, clouded white. The iris is 
of a yellowish cream color. The bill is black ; and the base 
of the lower mandible, whitish. The legs and feet are 
black, and stoutly formed. 

The male and fema'e Mocking Bird are very similar in 
plumage; but they may be readily distinguished by no- 




THE MOCKING BIRD. 

ticingthe following differences; The white on the wings 
of the male bird extends over the whole nine primaries, or 
quill feathers, down to and well over the coverts; these are 
also white, though sometime'; tipped wilh brown; the 
white of the primaries extf^-nding equally on both vanes of 
the feather. In the female the white is not so clear, and 
extends only over seven or eight of the primaries; the 
black of the wing is also less deep, being of a brownish 
shade. 
Occasionally males are met with that are wonderful song- 



70 

sters, and yet are very poorly marked according to the 
standard we have given ; but in buying young birds it is 
always better to secure tne best marked birds : as they are 
sure to be males. 

To rear the young of the Mocking Bird by hand success- 
fully, regularity of feeding and cleanliness are of the great- 
est importance. To keep them growing steadily they 
should be fed very often, and not much at a time. They 
should be fed long after they need assistance ; as that keeps 
them strong, while rendering them more gentle and con- 
fidmg. 

The cage for a Mocking Bird should be large, and kept 
very clean ; and should be supplied with plenty of gravel. 

One of the cheapest and most desirable styles of cages 
for these birds is made of walnut, with polished iron wire 
It IS i8 mches high, but is in three lengths, as follows: 22 
inches long, $1.75; 28 inches long, I2.50; 30 inches long, 
f3.oo. The cups for this cage cost 25 cents, extra. We 
illustrate a cage of brass wire, with black walnut base. It 
.s also made m three sizes: 18 inches, $8.50; 22 inches 
$13 00 ; 26 mches, ^15.00. A bath dish for a Mocking Bird 
IS worth 25 cents. 

The bird must never be exposed to inclement weat:^er- 
but should have the benefit of fresh air as much as possible- 
protected, however, from the scorching rays of the sun bv 
a covering thrown over the cage. 

The bill of fare best suited to the Mocking Bird will be 
found on page 10, under the head of "Soft-Billed Birds." 
They are fond of boiled carrot or beet root mashed and 
squeezed dry. Boiled cabbage, cauliflower, and peas are 
good for them ; al?o a very little roast meat minced, and a 
httle of the hard-boiled yolk of an egg. They like ripe 
pears, elder-berries; currants, and cherries. A few ant 
eggs soaked and mixed with the f >od is very beneficial A 
httle sweet apple grated up with the food gives it a fine 
flavor, and often restores the appetite when it is poor, dur- 
ing hot weather or when moulting. Our Prepared Mock- 
ing Bird Food, mixed with one-quarter grated carrot is 
perhaps the best_ for a steady diet. The Morking Brd is 
omnivorous, feeding on berries, insects, and fruit.-^For this 
reason a supply of insects should be gathered during the 
proper season ; such as flies, grasshoppers, spiders, an^ the 
like; and put loosely in a paper bag, and hung up to dry. 



71 

When used in winter, they should have boiling water pour- 
ed over them, which will soften them, and make them fully 
as palatable as if they were still ahve. Another dainty 
morsel is currants that have been Vv^ashed clean, soaked 
over night, and then wiped thoroughly dry. 

But the richest of food is meal-worms. Six to ten worms 
a month, are sufficient to make the bird lively. It is a good 
plan to raise a stock of these worms. The process is quite 
simple, and has been ful!y expl i' ed on a previous page. 

Nine-tenths of the ailments of the Mocking-Bird is caused 
by improper feeding, and the use of inferior prepared foods. 
Green food given daily, grapes, meat from the table, sugar, 
and candy, are all bad for the bin , It needs a plain, but 
varied diet, and to be fed and watered at the same time 
everyday. A bath should be given daily; and the vessel 
removed from the cage when the bird has bathed. During 
May, often earlier, some Mocking Birds have ihe mating 
fever; they grow melanrholy, allow their feathers to be- 
come rough, cease to p'ume themselves before retiring, 
waste away, and die. In many cases they iorget this in- 
clination for freedom and a mate, by simply changing the 
cage; hanging it near a window, where ther time will, be 
taken up in watching new surroundings. Should the bird's 
feathe s stand loosely all over, and he still sitm healthy, 
give him cxjling food only. Should the bird be dumpish 
and ?1uj-)ifl, a few spiders will somet'mes cure him. Should 
he refuse to eat, examine his tongue, and if a horny scale is 
seen u Kin it, this must be removed with g-eat care; for if 
it is allo^.ved to remain the bird will surely c'ie. To remove 
this sca'p, h id the bird on his back firmly with one hand, 
wh'le with the finger-nail of the other hand, g ntly peel it 
from the t ingue, and anoint with honey arl Ixt.tx. 

M'tes are a great annoyance to a bird, and should be got 
rid of by using our Mite Exterminator, according to direc- 
tions. 

For blindness there is no remedy, for it is only a symptom 
of disease of the brain and that is always fa*al ; it is almost 
invariably caused by the use of inferior prepared food, in 
whirh there is an excess of hemp or maw meal. Ba'dness, 
or dropping of the head feathers, is generally fatal. It usu- 
ally commences around the eves, and the symptoms p-e- 
cedingits appearance are continned restlessness and rub- 
bing of the parts on 'lie perch or caee. It may be treated 



72 

with flower of sulphur, rubbed up with a little water to the 
consistency of paste, and applied twice a day to the affected 
parts. This will allay the itching, and if early applied, may 
check the disease. 

In doctoring the sick bird, ascertain as nearly as possible 
what the complaint is, by comparing the symptoms with the 
printed ones accompanying our Bird Bitters, and treat the 
patient according to directions. 

Nearly all Mocking Birds are bought when young by their 
owners, because old ones in perfect song, bring such high 
prices, even as much aslso has been refused for a very 
fine bird. It should be borne in mind when buying these 
youngsters, that birds taken from the nest and fed by hand 
are much superior to ones that are trapped after tlv y leave 
the nest. The former become very tame, while the lat'er 
nearly always remain wild and flutter about the cage when 
it is approached. The farther south the birds come from 
the finer songsters they make. Young birds begin to arrive 
about the latter part of August. From then until October 
I, we offer hand-fed Florida Mocking Birds, guaranteed 
males, $5.00 each ; trapped North Carolina birds, guaran- 
teed males, $3.00, Mocking Birds just commencing to 
whistle, $10.00. Birds in full song, $10.00 to I15.C0 according 
to their ability. 

THE REDSTART. 

The beautiful plumage of this bird would alone recom- 
mend it to special notice. However, 
besides his handsome feathers, he 
possesses a good temper, an active 
disposition and a pleasing song. 

He is about the size of a Canary. 
The sides of the head are black; the 
throat speckled with white; the back 
and belly a mixture of lurid red and 
gray; the wings are dark brown, and 
I the tail is red. 

The Redstart requires the same 
style of cage and the same general 
treatment as the B'ack Cap. 

A good specimen of a young male 
Redstart is worth $5.00; in full song, 
|ro.oo. 




?i 



THE NIGHTINGALE. 




We now come to the bird about which more poetry has been 

written than 
/>7 any other 

y ^^^^ feathered song- 

ster. When 
everyone is 'j:- 
sleep, his tiny 
throat pours 
forth its sweet 
music to the 
moon; but 



when caged he 
sings by day 
and night, and 
his is the music 
that one never 
wishes still. In 
plumage he is a 
modest bird, and in size he is about as large as a blue bird. 
It has always been a matter of surprise that such a small 
bird as the Nightingale should possess such wonderful 
song-power, as its singing can be heard, on a still night, at 
a distance of a mile ; but the fact is explained by the great 
strength of the muscles of the throat. 

The Nightingale requires a large cage, which should be 
hung in a subdued light. A cage with the back and sides 
of dark wood, is the best for this bird, and the roof should 
be covered, on the inside, with green baize, thus preventing 
the bird's head from being injured when he flies upward. 
The perches should be covered with soft material, as his 
feet are very tender, and apt to become sore when plain 
wooden perches are used. The cost of such a cage is $3.50. 
The same treatment is required as for other soft-billed 
birds. Although apt to be rather a delicate bird when first 
caught, after once becoming accustomed to cage life, it is 
among the longest-lived of cage birds, instances being 
known of Nightingales having lived fourteen years in con- 
finement. 

A Nightingale beginning to sing is worth I15.00J in fuU 
song, from I25.0C to I50.00, 



74 



THE ENGLISH THRUSH. 



The English Thrush is one of the finest of soft-billed 
songsters. His sweet and merry song makes all rejoice 
who hea it. In size he is about as large as our Robin, and 

is speckled yellow, which is the 
color of its bill. Thrushes possess 
imitative powers in a mirvelous 
degree, tunes played or whiailt d to 
them are readily acquired. They 
require the same treatment and 
cage as Mocking Bird.=;, The snails 
that are found in ponds and rivers 
make them a treat of which they 
are passionately fc nd. It is worth 
the trouble of collecting these, to 
see them break the sheUs against 
the wires or perches of tlie cpge. 

There are several vat if tits of 
Thrushes, but the one m> st com- 
monly imported to tl is country is 
THE £NGLISH THRUSH, the Song Thrush ment'one-d above. 
A young Thrush coming into song, is worth |8.oo; in full 
song, from |io.oo to $25 oo. 

THE BLACK CAP. 




It ir> no uncommon thing for the song of the Black Cap to 

be spoken of as 
rivaling that o( 
the nightingale, 
and some wn'ttrs 
go so far as to 
assert that be- 
tween the melo 
dy of the two it 
is next to im- 
possible to dis- 
tinguish. This 
bird is smaller 
than the Canary, 
and has a plum- 
age of olive 




THE BLACK CAP. 



75 

green an4 jjray, with a dingy white throat, and a black cap 
on the hep.d. 

It is a so't-billed bird, and requires to be fed upon our 
Preparefl Morl<ing Bird Food. It requires an oblong cage 
of small S'z -, w.ik: >, i i w )0 1, is worth $1.25, and in brass 
I5.50. A r.lark Ci;>, com; g into song, will cost I5.00; 
after the song is perfected, |io 00. 



THE ENGLISH BLACKBIRD. 



The English Blackbird is a jovial, jolly fellow; with a fine, 
hearty, and mellow 
whistle that grows 
louder during rainy 
weather. In size and 
build he somewhat re- 
sembles our Robin. He 
will learn to pipe any 
easy tune that is whis- 
tled to him. When 
once learned he will 
never forget it. He is 
jet black, with a yellow 
bill. He requires the 
general treatment giv- 
en to all the soft-biiled 
birds, and should be 
kept in a mocking- 
bird ca^fe of large size. 

An English Black- 
bird, beginning to 
whistle, is worth |6.oo; 
in full song, |ro.oo. 

Englsh Blackbirds 
are very hardy, and soon become so tame that they can be 
taken out of the cage, and will whistle lustily while perched 
on their owner's finger. They will breed in an aviary. 
They are fond of bathing, and water for this purpose should 
be supplied daily. 




76 



THE ENGLISH ROBIN. 



The Redbreast, which is 
the national bird of England, 
is smaller than our Robin, 
resembling the latter only 
by the red on the breast. 
As a cage bird, he is very 
gentle, lively, and affection- 
ate; and sings his merry 
song summer and winter, 
often far into the night. 

The treatment given in 
the first part of this book 
for soft-billed birds is ap- 
plicable also to the English 
Robin. He should be kept 
in an oblong cage. An 
English Robin is worth ^55.00 ; when in full song, $10.00. 




THE ENGLISH ROBIN. 



THE JAPANESE ROBIN. 



This is one of the most active and merry of cage birds. 
He is always hopping from perch to perch, not stopping to 
sing, but pouring forth his merry song as he goes. In size 
he is about as large as an 
English Robin, The back 
is olive brown, changing to 
yellow at the head, and to 
gray on the sides. The 
throat and breast have a 
patch of bright orange, 
shaded towards the border. 
The wings are dark, each 
wing-feather edged with 
orange. The beak and feet 
are bright coral red. A 
small size Mocking - Bird 
cage and soft food are -eOiUired for their proper comfort. A 
young male Japanese R ^bin is worth I5.00 ; when ii> full 
»ong,|io.oo. ..—T^ ^ 




7? 



THE MAGPIE. 

Although without song, Magpies make most amusing 

{)ets; and instances of their 
earning to repeat words and 
sentences are not rare. He is 
about the size of our crow, and 
the plumage is of white and a 
purple-tinted black. Heis 
more readily tamed than al- 
most any other bird, and re- 
quires very little care, as he 
may be fed upon scraps from 
the table. Being a large bird 
he requires a roomy cage, and 
should be frequently allowed 
the liberty of a room; where 
his quaint ways and funny 
tricks are most amusing. He 
should never be kept in an 
aviary with other birds, as he is 
very likely to destroy the nests, 
and eat the eggs and young 
birds; and, in fact, in a short 
time, play sad havoc with the entire aviary. 
pie is worth $5.00. 




THK MAGPIE. 



A young Mag- 



THE MINO. 




THB MINO. 



The Mino, some- 
times called the 
Mynah, is a member 
of the Starling family. 

He is the talking 
cage-bird of India and 
China, and possesses 
power of song with a 
talentfor imitating the 
human voice. He is a 
little larger than a Eu- 
ropean Starling, and 
much stouter. The 
plumage is black, 
with a white bar on 
the wings ; the feet 



78 

and rather short beak are yellow, and a ring of the same tint 
surrounds the eye. There are yellow patches on the side 
of the head, and collar-like appendages of bare orange- 
colored skin extend from the ears downward. 

These birds can be fed upon Mocking Bird Food, but will 
eat almost anything. Small pieces of raw beef, plenty ot 
1 pe fruit, and a little boiled rice, are very good additions 
to their diet. , 

A young Mino is worth from |io.oo to $50.00 ; one that 
talks is valued at almost any price from I50.00 upwards. 

THE BLUE JAY. 




The American Blue Jav is a handsome bird, and an un- 
eniuiled mimic. He will with equal facihty mutate the 
sonest sounds and the harshest sounds, but seems to delight 
more in the loud noises thathe hears about him, such as the 
whining of a dog, the crying of a baby, etc. On his head 
he wears a light blue crest, which he can elevate at pleasure: 
the rest of him is of blue in various shades. He is very doc- 



79 

He in confinement and can easily be taught innumerable 
tricks. 

As to diet, he should be fed principally on cracked corn, 
with shreds of lean meat and an occasional meal worm. 
He is very fond of raw egg; he will puncture the shell with 
his bill, and then suck the contents. A very large cage is 
necessary for the proper comfort of the Jay. 

A male bird in good plumage, is worth I5.00. 



EUROPEAN JAY. 




This bird is rather larger than our Jay ana i« cOx. ol so 
g^udy plumage: wh'ch is a purplish gray, wiiti a blacK 
j>tiipe running from the beak to ^h-i middle ot die neck. 

The wings are crossed by brignt. narrow .stripes of blue; 
the tail is black. 

The docility of the European Jay is its chief recommen- 
dation as a cage bird. It can be taught to speak, to whis- 



8o 

tie airs and imitate various noises and the songs of other 
birds. 

It will thrive on a diet of canary seed and wheat, with 
occasionally a few shreds of raw meat. 

It requires a large mocking bird cage. For the aviary it 
is not desirable, as it is apt to be rather mischievous and de- 
lights in tearing the nests of the other birds to pieces, suck- 
ing the eggs or devouring the nestlings. 

A male European Jay is worth I7.00; when trained, $15.00 
to I50.00. 



THE RAVEN. 



The European Raven makes a most amusing pet; and his 
tricks, though mischievous, are very laughable. He is con- 
siderably larger than a crow, but has the same glossy black 
plumage as the latter. If kept in a cage, a very strong one 
is necessary, such as is used for parrots; and he can be 
chained to a perch the same as the latter. 

There is scarcely anything that can be given him wnich 
he will not eat and thrive upon: grain, meat, or vegetables, 
There are many well authenticated instances where Ravens 
have been taught to talk. 

A Raven is worth I5.00. 

THE CAT BIRD. 



This quaint and delightful native songster is of the same 
family as the Mocking Bird; and is very similar in habits, 
requiring the same treatment and cage. 

It is a wonder why his musical abilities have not been more 
fully appreciated; but we suppose it is his sober color and the 
scolding, cat-like call with which at certain seasons of the 
year he is apt to greet all who stumble across his nest. In 
confinement this curious noise is abandoned for more musi- 
cal notes. 

A yuuug male Cat Bird is worth I3.00; when in full song, 
IS-oo. 



81 



THE SKYLARK. 




The song of the Skylark is considered by some persons 
to be superior even to that of the Nightingale. It is a bird 

of modest plumage 
but trim and neat. 
The male can be 
distinguished from 
the female by the 
breast of the latter 
being nearly white. 
This bird should 
be fed upon our 
Prepared Mocking 
Bird Food, with an 
occasional meal of 
seed. The cage in 
which the Skylark 
should be kept, as 
shown in the en- 
graving differs from 
THE SKYLARK. the shape of other 

cages, by having a bow window. This is for the reception 
of a piece of fresh 
sod, which should 
be given at least 
three times a week. 
Here the lark will 
stand and sing his 
musical thanks un- 
til his little throat 
almost bursts. 
There are no 
perches in the cage, 
as the bird will al- 
ways stay on the 
bottom. Such a *^ '" 
cage will cost I3. 50. ^*'**S-<;mj 
The price of a 
young male Sky- 
lark is $5.00; when in full song, |io.oo. Extra fine singeri 
nr^ sornetitnes worth I50.00 to iiQo.o& - 




CAGE FOR LARK. 



82 



THE WOODLARK. 

The song of the Woodlark is considered by many to be 

fully equal to that of 
the Skylark, whom he 
much resembles in 
plumage, although he 
is smaller and has a 
shorter tail. He should 
be kept in the same 
kind of a cage as a Sky- 
lark, and he requires 
the same treatment. 
The price for a good 
specimen of this bird 
is about the same as for 
the Skylark. 




THE BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 

This bird, which is also known as the Hanging B'rd 
Swing Bird, and Golden Robin, is of 
brilliant orange and glistening black 
plumage, with a few stripes of black 
upon the wing. From these he de- 
rived his name, as they were the 
colors of Lord Baltimore, the first 
proprietor of Maryland. The female 
is of a sober hue. 

The song of this bird is loud, 
varied, and entertaining; and strikes 
the ear of the listener more like the 
notes of the fife mino;led with the 
mellow breathing of the flute, than 
the song of a feathered musician. 
_ He will thrive on a diet of Mock- 
ing Bird Food, and requires a large, 
roomy cage. 

Agoca specimen of a young male 
Baltimore Oriole is worth I3.00; when 
vn full song, lio.oo- Baltumukk okiolk, 




83 



THE TROPIAL. 




The Tropial is a South American bird, about the size of 
our Robin, and has beautiful orange and biack plumage. 
He is almost as good a mimic as the Mocking Bird; and his 
natural song is clear, flute-like, and powerful; and is sent 
forth almost continually from morning until night. When 
j'oung they may be re^idily taught to whistle airs by fre- 
quently playing them on a flageolet or flute in their hearing. 

They are extremely active and graceful, and soon become 
familiar with their owners, and very much attached to them. 
They should be fed upon our Prepared Mocking Bird Food. 
Any cage suitable for a Mocking Bird will do for them, and 
their general treatment is the same. 

More of these birds are kept as cage pets in this country 
than perhaps any other songster, except the Mocking Bird; 
and t'ley well deserve their great popularity. 

A young Tropial is worth |8.oo; in full song, |i2.oo. It is 
perhaps more satisfactory to purchase a young bird; as it 
will become more tame. Male birds always prove to be 
excellent whistlers. 



THE STARLING. 



The Star 
ling is one oi 
the most 
gifted of 
birds. His 
sagacity i s 
wonderful — 
he can sing, 
whistle, and 
talk. The 
last accom- 
plishment 
canbetaught 
to him al- 
most as read- 
ily as to a 
Parrot. In 
size, he is 
larger than a 
cow Black- 
bird, and is 

of a lustrous greenish-black, with greenish speckles over 

the body; the bill is brown. 
Starlings require a large size Mockmg Bird cage, and 

should be fed upon Prepared Mocking Bird Food. 

A male Starling, beginning to whistle, is worth |5.oo- one 

that talks, I25.00 to |ioo.oo. 




THE JACKDAW. 



In confinement the Jackdaw becomes thoroughly domesti- 
cated, and can be allowed his full liberty, speedily becoming 
as tame as any inhabitant of the poultry yard. He can be 
taught to repeat words almost as readily as tne parrot, al- 
though his capabilities in this respect are not so great. He 
is as full of mischief as a child, and just as petulant when 
thwarted in his schemes. He is not as large as a raven, 
measuring 14 inches when full grown. No special treatment 
is required, as he will eat anything and everything. 

A Jackdaw is worth 15.00, 



85 



THE BLUE BIRD. 




THE BLUE BIRD. 



Everyone knows 
the plumage and song 
of the Blue Bird , so it 
would be useless to 
spare the space for a 
detailed description of 
this bird. 

In Europe the Blue 
Bird is kept as a cage 
bird, and he is much 
admired for both his 
song and plumage, 
where he is usually 
called the Blue Robin. 

He requires a mixed 
diet of our Prepared 
Mocking Bird food and 
Canary seed. 

The price of a Blue 
Bird in good plumage 
is ii.oo. 



THE SWAMP ROBIN. 



This breed, which is also known in different parts of the 
country under sev- 
eral aliases, is really 
a Thrush, and one 
of the handsomest- 
feathered of the fam- 
fly. He is about 
the size of a Bobo- 
link, is cf striking 

plumage, and a — , _gMte/r 

most excellent .^^W^ 

songster. A small- 
size Mocking -Bird 
cage is required for his comfort, and the same treatment as 
for other birds of the Thrush family. 

% A young male Swamp Robin is worth ^3.00 ; whsn in ftlll 
song, $10.00. I 




THE SWAMP ROBIN. 



S6 



THE AMERICAN ROBIN. 



O'jr own Robin, or, properly, the migratory Thrush, 
makes a most dehghtful cage bird, whose whistle is not in- 
ferior to th^t of the 
English Blackbird, 
v/hich it much resem- 
bles. He will readily 
pick up tunes that are 
frequently whistled 
to him. He requires 
the same generall 
treatment that appl i6s 
to all soft-billed bird[> 
When taken froin 
the nest to rear by 
hand nothing is betr 
ter to feed them 
with than the yolk of 
hard-boiled egg, and 
corn meal boiled with 
milk. 

A male bird that 
whistles is worth from fs.oo to |io.oo; a young male, ;j52.oo. 




AMERICAN ROBIN. 



-♦— "i 



THE CROW. 



- Our native Crow is a very wise bird, and when kept as a 
pei, is a. source of constant amusement and astonishment at 
his capability. We have come across several specimens that 
could repeat words, and one that spoke whole sentences. 
He can be kept either in a parrot cage or chained to a perch. 
He will become very tame and fearless; and may, after he 
hr.s been in captivity for some time, be allowed occasional 
libertjr, without fear of his fljing far away. 
The same general treatmenv is required as lor the Raven. 
A Crow is worth $2, 50. 



87 



THE AMERICAN THRUSH. 




The larg-e na,tive Brown Thrush, or Thrasher, is believed 
by all true Americans to surpass in sweetness and variety 
of son;? the celebrated Throstle cr Mavis of England; and 

indeed he is scarcely in- 
ferior to our own Mock- 
ing Bird in voice and 
talent. He is another of 
the choice but neglected 
songsters of our native 
land. 

His song is loud, bold, 
striking, and full of orig- 
inality, and given at all 
hours of the day and 
night, but most frequently 
in the morning. He be- 
comes very amusing and 
sociable in confinement, and shows the warmest attachment 
for the person who attends to his wants. He should be kept 
warm in the winter, and requires the same cage and treat- 
ment as his cousin, the Mocking Bird. 

A young male American Thrush is worth $5.00; when in 
full song, |io.oo. 




THE HERMIT THRUSH. 



88 



THE SCARLET TANAGER. 



The Scarlet Tanager is one of the most beautiful of cage 
birds, and it is difficult to imagine a plumage more exquisite 
than his glittering coat of bright scarlet and deep ebony. 
The young are at first of a greenish olive, but acquire the 
bfeautifully contrasting plumage of scarlet and black, when 
a year old. 

The song of the male, which he will deliver for hours to- 
gether, is a sweet, mellow, and harmonious ditty, of consid- 




erable strength and Dower. He has some notes which are 
wonderfully soft and flute-like. 

The diet required for this bird is canary seed, with a fre- 
quent addition of boiled egg, dried cherries, figs, raisins, 
currants, and meal worms. 

A male Scarlet Tanager is worth ^3.50; in full song, $$ to 
$10.00. 



THE REDPOLL. 



In color and markings the Redpoll somewhat resembles 
the Linnet; but in shape, size, and habits it is more like the 
Siskin. It derives its name from the red spot on the top of 
the head or poll. Like the Linnet, they lose the fine color 



89 

at their first moult in confinement, and assume a yellowish 
garb. 

The Redpoll is a very intelligent bird; and its song is a 
low, continuous twittering. He may be taught to draw off 
his own water, to eat out of the hand, and similar feats. The 
male and female will pair and breed in a cage or in the 
aviary; and will also interbreed with the Canary. 

Male or female Redpolls are worth I3.00 each or $5.00 per 
pair. 



RING DOVES. 



Ring Doves, or Mourning Doves, as they are sometimes 
called, from the pecu- 
liar sound they make, 
are very pretty pets. 
Their plumage is very 
sleek, of a yellowish 
dun color, with a 
black ring about the 
neck. 

They become very 
tame and can be 
readily handled. They 
breed even more pro- 
lifically than pigeons, 
laying two white eggs; 
and the male bird 
taking care of the 
nestlings while the 
female builds another 
nest and lays again. 

They require the 
largest size of a can- 
ary-breeding cage 
(worth 1^3.50), and should be fed on cracked corn and 
wheat. They will also eat canary seed. 

These birds often throw White, or Albino Doves, that 
are very beautiful. A pair of Ring Doves are worth |!2.oo.- 
^Ibino Doves, |^io.oo per paitr 




RING DOVE. 



90 



THE CALIFORNIA QUAIL. 

This is by 




IS Dy far the 
handsomest member of 
the Quail family. It is 
called the Plumed Part- 
ridge, because it has a 
crest or crown of six 
long feathers on the 
head. The female is 
somewhat rrrore soberly . 
attired than the male. 
In confinement they 
soonbecome thoroughly 
domesticated, and will 
breed, in a large cage; 
but more readily in an 
aviary or large pen built 
out of doors. 

Price per pair, $10.00, 
for either the rnountain 
or valley variety. 



THE EUROPEAN QUAIL= 

The^European, or Mi- 
gratory Quail, are some- 
what smaller than their 
American cousins. They 
will thrive equally well 
in a large cage or in the 
aviary, and will build 
their nest and rear their 
,oung in either. They 
become very tame and 
much attached to the 
person feeding them. 
Like all of the Quail 
family they require, in 
confinement, a diet of 
mixed buckwheat and 
wheat, with occasional 
grains of hemp seed. 

European Quail are 
lyorth $5.0x3 per pair. 




91 



THE AMERICAN QUAIL. 



The American Quail, 
or Bob White, as he is 
familiarly called by 
every school-boy in the 
United States, will breed 
readily in an aviary or 
enclosure, but will not 
do well in a cage. His 
loud, cheerful whistle, is 
quite attractive; and his 
quaint, sociable ways, 
make him a most inter- 
esting pet 

Quail are worth, per 
pair, $2.50. 

After the first snow 
we can always furnish 
live Quail, at very rea- 
sonable figures, by the 
hundreds, to stock gun- 
ning districts. The 
'price of Quail in quan- 
tities is, necessarily, a matter of correspondence, and will 
vary greatly according to the season. Some years they are 
plentiful, and consequently cheap; \vhile at other times they 
are scarce, and of course high in price. 




^s^- 



PARRAKEETS. 



The various species of Parrakeets differ much in size; 
some being no larger than a sparrow; others being about 
the size of a Cuban Parrot. All require a diet of plain can- 
ary seed, with occa<^ionally a little unhulled rice. The 
smaller kinds can be kept in any kind of a canary cage, but 
we advise a square cage of solid brass, with a sliding bottom 
The cost of such a cage is fo.50. Larger species require a 
special cage, the best styles of which are illustrated near 
the end of this book. 

Nearly all the different species of Parrakeets breed readily 
ki coiifinement, either in a large roomy cage or in an aviary. 



9« 

The kind of a nest box required is described under the 
heading, "The indoor Aviary," in the earlier part of the 
book. 

^ » — 

THE AUSTRALIAN PARRAKEET. 



This species is the most popular of small Parrakeets, 
They are about the size of a Canary, 
but their long tail makes them ap- 
pear much larger. The plumage is a 
beautiful green on the breast and 
tail, and green dappled with yellow 
on the back and wings, and shading 
to yellow on the head. The sexes 
are very similar. They will breed 
freely in confinement, and require for 
a nest a cocoanut shell, with a hole 
bored in it, and the meat extracted. 
With this curious nest in an ordinary 
breeding cage, these birds will set-up 
house-keeping, when the proper sea- 
son commences; and raise several 
broods of young ones. Nearly all 
the Parrakeets that are brought to this country are cage- 
bred in Europe. Australian Parrakeets require no other 
seed excepting plain Sicily canary. 

It requires but very little time or patience to tame a pair 
of these birds, so that they will jump on your finger, come 
when called, and other pleasing little tricks. 

They can be allowed to range around a room at will, and 
may be depended upon to return to their cage at night. 
When allowed their liberty m this way, they soon are on 
familiar terms with their owner. A pair is worth $j.oo. 




CUT-THROAT COCKATOO. 

The Cut-throat Cockatoo is a very curious member of 
the Parrot family. It has a snow-white plumage witli a red 
streak on its throat, from which it gets its name. The upper 
mandible is much longer than the lower; and the beak, 
unlike that of most Parrots, is quite slender. It does not 
make a very good talker, but is kept as a cage bird on 
ticcount of its odd appearance, 



n 



THE eOCKAtEEL. 



The sober-colored Cockateel is the most gentle and amia- 
ble of all Parrakeets, and is about the size of a common 

pigeon. He is of a dun 
color, with lemon 
cheeks, and a spot of 
red on tlicm ; and a gay 
crest on his head. Never 
noisy and not destruc- 
tive, a pair of these 
birds may be kept in a 
roomy cage in any sit- 
ting-room, and can be 
safely associated in an 
aviary with the smallest 
of Finches. Few birds 
breed more readily in 
captivity; they lay from 
one to two eggs, which 
are hatched in about 
three weeks. A small 
box with a small hole 
at one end should be 
placed in the cage for 
them to nest in. 

He is very frugal in 

his food, which should 

consist of canary and a 

little millet seed; but 

when breeding a soft 

food made of stale 

bread and scalded milk with a little oat-meal, should be 

given. Cockateels will sometimes learn to talk. 

A pair of good specimens is worth $10.00. 




THE MARICABO PARRAKEETS. 

This Parrakeet is about the same size as the preceding 
variety, but in color is green, with orange cheeks and fore- 
head. They can be taught to talk, and make very tame and 
aifectionate pets. They are worth |i2.oo per pair. 



94 



THE AFRICAN LOVE BIRD. 



The African Love 
Bird, is of a bright 
green color, and 
about as large as the 
preceding species, 
but have short 
tails. Some have 
red faces, others are 
all green. They are 
always sold in pairs, 
and are very affec- 
tionate, spending 
most of their time 
caressing each 
other. They can be 
easily taught to sit on the finger and to kiss their owner, and 
can be allowed to fly about a room. They are worth sJ6.oo 
per pair. 

THE QUAKER LOVE BIRD 

is similar to the above, but the head and shoulders are of a 
modest dun color, the rest of the body being bright green. 
They require the same treatment and cage as the other 
varieties. They also are worth |6.oo per pair. 




AFRICAN LOVE BIRD. 



HOW WE SELL PARROTS^ 



We send out nothing but good, healthy specimens and 
in the case of young birds give a guarantee that it will talk in 
side of ninety days from the time it is purchased, or we will 
exchange for another, with which we give the same guar- 
antee. 

Always bear in mind in buying a Parrot, to get it from a 
reliable dealer. An unhea'thy, vicious bird can be doctored 
up by means of drugs, so as to be seemingly healthy and 
tame for a little while, only to relapse into a state of chronic 
helplessness or extreme irritability after the effects of the 
stimulants have passed off. It is always better to pay a 
few dollars more than to run the risk of getting such a bird; 
and thousands of such are yearly palmed-off on the un- 
wary purchaser. 



95 

PARROTS. 



The docility of Parrots, the facility with which they be- 
come accustomed to cage Ufe, and their talent for imita- 
ting the human voice, have made them the favorite cage- 
bird from time immemorial. No other birds become so 
entirely domesticated, and so much attached to their keep- 
er; and none are so long-lived. The male and female are 
alikein color, and both possess the imitative faculty. 

Everybody who wants to buy a Parrot desires one that 
talks; but such birds are not always to be had, and the 
prices asked for them are usually very high. It is always 
more satisfactory to buy a young bird and teach it yourself; 
which can easily be done by carrying out the instructions 
that here follow. 

The best way to win the affection of a Parrot, is to treat 
■it with gentleness. Approach her with harsh voice and 
threatening gestures, and she will immediately stand on the 
defensive. Approach her with soft words and kind lowks, 
and, if not at once subdued, she will be ready to listen tp 
what you say, and watch what you are doing. You may 
depend, upon it, the first few interviews will be lasting, 
whichever way they tend. As a rule, a Parrot will learn 
quicker from women than men, and quicker still from 
children. 

The best way to teach the bird to speak, is to keep quite 
put of sight while giving the lesson. We know of nearly a 
dnzt-n parrots, of various sorts, that have been educated 
on ihis principle; and which, in a marvelously short time, 
nave turned out fluent talkers. Too much attention cannot 
I.'i paid to the linking together of words forming any sen- 
tence you may wish the bird to learn. Let each word glide 
into- the next as smoothly as possible. If you_ find that 
yi'ur bird -experiences great difficulty in repeating a par- 
ticular, lesson, it is better not to persist inteaching it at that 
time, as you may make her sullen or vicious. Before at- 
tempting to teach a Parrot to talk, it is always advisable to 
accu^^tom her to being handled. The cruel plan of split- 
in;^ tiie bird's tongue will not enable it to talk any sooner, 
but, on the contrary, will prevent it from ever articulating 
distinctly. 

All specicb Df ParrotSj if fed as follows, will always keep 



^^^u^ 


^ 


PARROTi 
FOOD. 


1 


.BIRDFOtDCO 




r 





healthy, and a bird, to be a good talker, must always be ii: 
good condition. 

In one cup of the cage always keep a mixture of dried 
sweet corn and canary seed; in the other, a mash, made as 
follows: Take a slice of stale bread, and cover it with warm 
water; after it has soaked for a quarter of an hour, squeeze 
it as dry as possible; then pour enough of boiling milk over 
/t to moisten it without making it sloppy. This must be 
made fresh every day, and a tablespoonful of our Parrot 
Food mixed into the day's allowance. 
This food is made of spices, dried fruits, 
etc., and will keep a Parrot in brilliant 
plumage and health for years, if used as 
above directed. Price, 15c. per box; if sent 
by mail, 25c. 

A Parrot does not need but an occasional 
drink of water, if fed upon moist food. Oc- 
casionally you may give them nuts of any 
kind (especially peanuts), boiled corn, and 
almost any sort of fruit. But do not feed 
on bread and coffee, table scraps, or meat 
of any kind. They have a great relish for the latter kind 
of food, and after awhile will acquire so determined an 
appetite for it, that they will pluck out their own feathers 
for the sole purpose of sucking the stem. 

It should always be borne in mind that the gizzard of a 
Parrot, as well as of all other birds, takes the place of teeth; 
and, further, that it can no more work unless supplied with 
gravel than a mill can grind without millstones. Clean 
gravel, white or red, should be supplied, not less than three 
times a week. 

DISEASES OF PARROTS, 

In summer it is well to scald out the eup for soft food 
each day, and in winter at least once a week. Looseness 
of the bowels is the most common and dangerous ill that 
parrot-flesh is heir to, and nothing causes it sooner than 
sour food. Avoid zinc food-vessels, they are dangerous. 

A Parrot should be carefully placed in the sunniest nook, 
and scrupulously secured from cold draughts; but these un- 
fortunate natives of the hottest countries of the world 7.re 
too, often left hanging before op>en windows on chilly nights, 
tod placed before chinks and er^vices, through «yhkh ther« 



97 

is sufficient draft to turn a windmill. The best treatment 
goes for nothing, unless a Parrot is kept warm in chilly 
weather. 

Insufficient attention to cleanliness will cause sore feet. 
A Parrot's perch should be movable; and scraped and 
scalded at least once a week. The feet should be cleansed, 
when dirty, with a piece of flannel and castile soap. Par- 
rots are sometimes attacked by a disease that seems much 
the same as gout with us. The feet and legs swell, and the 
bird is unable to grasp its perch properly. The best remedy 
is, to place the cage in a tub of warm water, and making 
her stand up to her thighs fifteen minutes, and then wipe 
them dry; and keep her the rest of the day before a pretty 
hot fire. If there are sores on the feet, apply a little sugar 
to them. Mix a teaspoonful of Bird Bitters in the soft 
food daily. 

Sore eyes may proceed from cold or improper food. 
When the rims are red and inflamed, bathe them with a 
warm decoction of white hellebore. It is deadly poison, so 
be careful that the bird does not drink it. 

Some Parrots are subject to fits. They will tumble off 
their perches, and, after a few convulsive struggles, lie as if 
dead. When this happens, squirt the coldest water you 
can get, over her head. If she does not revive, take her 
by the legs, and dip her three or four times into cold water. 
If she should still remain insensible, pluck out a tail feather, 
or cut one of her claws so as to cause it to bleed. If she 
does not then recover, you have a choice of two things: to 
have her buried or stuffed. Nothing is so likely to produce 
fits as costiveness, and you may know when a bird is so 
afflicted by her constant efforts to evacuate. For this, give 
three drops of castor-oil. It is no easy matter to administer 
castor-oil to a full-grown and strong-beaked Parrot, unless 
you know how. The proper way is to have a piece of 
hard wood, about a quarter of an inch thick and three- 
quarters of an inch wide; in the centre bore a hole. Open 
the Parrot's beak, slip in the wood, and put a quill or a 
glass tube through the hole, and then drop the castor-oil 
into the tube. 

The plucking out of the feathers is nearly always caused 
by indulgence in animal food, or too much hemp seed. 
The best thing to do is to bathe the bare places with a de- 
coction of diluted ox^jjall, and diet the birds on plain ^an« 



98 

ary seed, and put a teaspoonful of Bird Bitters, daily, in the 
soft food. 

Impure water, stale food, or want of sand, will produce 
surfeit. The head, and sometimes the back, becomes cov- 
ered with angry sores, which discharge a humor of so acrid 
a character that wherever it runs it removes the feathers. 
Dissolve a quarter of a pound of salt or half a pound of loaf 
sugar in a quart of water, and bathe the parts affected twice 
a day. Dry the sores thoroughly, and anoint them with 
olive oil. The diet should be as simple as possible. Boiled 
rice, containing a teaspoonful of Parrot Food and half a 
teaspoonful of Bird Bitters, is the best food, while the sur- 
feit continues, and nothing else should be given. Keep 
the bird warm. 

The want of proper warmth will sometimes produce in- 
flammation. The symptoms are, melancholy, and a dis- 
position to go to roost while it is yet daylight. If you blow 
up the feathers of the belly, you will find the extreme parts 
much swollen, and a multitude of tiny red veins showing 
through the skin. This is a dangerous malady, and should 
be seen to in time. If the bird's bowels are relaxed, give 
him, until better, as much magnesia as can be piled on a 
nickel, mixed in his soft food. A piece of sugar cane is 
most excellent for this disease. Feed on Parrot Food on 
which plenty of maw seed has been sprinkled. 

The most healthy birds will sometimes be troubled with 
ugly wart-like excrescences. Occasionally they will grow as 
large as a pigeon's egg. Pass a piece of fine silk cord 
around the base of the tumor, and at each end of the cord 
make a loop; secure the cord around the excrescence by 
passing a small wooden peg through the loops; every other 
morning give the peg a twist, so as to draw the cord a little 
tighter, and in a short time the tumor will wither and fall 
off. Pruviding you manage the tightening of the cord with 
care, the operation will be attended with little or no pain. 
It will, however, be a long time — indeed, not till the next 
moult- before the bald place caused by the tumor, will be 
covered with feathers. 

During the moulting period. Parrots require great care 
and attention. Sometimes considerable pain and difficulty 
attend the operation, and two or even three months will be 
thus miserably passed by the poor bird. The only way in 
which you can aid him is by givino: him extra nourishment. 



99 

and keeping- him as warm as possible. It is a good plan to 
cover the cage entirely with brown paper. Add plenty of 
Parrot Food to the soft food, and a teaspoonful of Bird 
Bitters, daily. A biscuit (without seeds) soaked in milk, in 
which a few pepper pods have been boiled, is a good thing 
to give occasionally. 

Scouring is caused either by a sudden change of diet or 
thiough taking sour fruit, or some other improper food. 
The symptoms are a drooping tail, a tenacious white excre- 
ment adhering to the feathers beneath the tail, and a gen- 
eral uneasiness exhibited by the bird. The hinder parts, 
which will be found to be much inflamed, should be anoint- 
ed with palm-oil; give maw seed and a pepper pod, and put 
Bird Bitters in the soft food. 

Another of the diseases to which Parrots are subject, is 
asthma. This either arises from an undue allowance of 
heating food, or through cold. The symptoms are short- 
ness of breath, and a frequent disposition of the bird to 
gape. If the attack is but slight, it may be cured by alter- 
ing the diet, taking care that a good portion of his food is 
of a moist and warm character. If the bird is very ill, make 
a stiff paste of boiling milk and wheat flour, and add a 
tablespoonful of Parrot Food, and a teaspoonful of Bird 
Bitters. Give him nothing else for at least three days. 



THE MARICABO PARROT. 



This species resembles a Double Yellow Head Mexican 
Parrot in color and markings, but it is smaller in size, being 
no larger than the Cuban. They make excellent talkers 
and learn very readily. The price for a good specimen is 
from |io.oo to I15.00. 



THE BLUE ROCK PARROT. 

This is a large, all-green bird, being the largest of true 
Parrots. They make good talkers, and are preferred by 
some experienced persons to the Double Yellow Head Mex- 
ican. The price for a good specimen of the Blue Rock 
Parrot, is from |i2.oo to I20.00. 



100 



THE MACAW. 



This is the largest of the Parrot family, and some kinds 
attain the immense size of three feet. 
They are among the most gaudily 
plumaged of birds; the variety most 
common being of a brilliant blue and 
yellow. 

The upper part of this species is of 
a fine blue, more or less tinted with 
green, while the lower part from the 
breast downwards is a light orange 
yellow. The bill is entirely black, 
being large and strong and consider- 
ably hooked in shape. Macaws can 
be readily distinguished from the rest 
of the Parrot tribe, by the face being 
entirely bald, or at most furnished 
with a few spare lines of feathers. 

The Macaw should always be 
chained to a perch, as in a cage its 
plumage is likely to be broken and 
injured. Tne perch should be strong- 
ly made, and all parts within reach of 
the Macaw's powerful beak, covered 
with tin or thin sheet brass, as a 
wooden perch will be destroyed by a 
mischievous bird in a few hours. We 
will furnish a suitable perch with chain 
for attaching to the bird's foot for 
|6.oo. In summer the bird can be 
kept out of doors all the time, a roof 
being hung over it to protect the bird 
from the rain. 
, If bought when young, this showy 

bird can sometimes be taught to repeat words and sentences; 

but if older, it is a hopeless task to get it to utter anything 

except its own hideous shriek. 
The diet should be coarse, and consist mainly of com and 

crackers. It is very fond of nuts, the hardest of which are 

readily cracked by its iron-like bill. 
A young male Macaw is worth from $15.00 to I50.00. 




lOI 



THE YELLOW-HEAD MEXICAN PARROT. 

In the United States this species is, without doubt, the 

most popular of Parrots, 
and is the most fluent 
talker and the most easily 
taught. In our opinion 
the Mexican Parrot is the 
best talking bird in exist- 
ence, and should be 
ranked even before the 
Gray Parrot. They are 
larger than the Gray 
Parrot, and are a beau- 
tiful green in color, with 
bright red on the edges 
of the wings and tail. 
Some Parrots of this 
species are very fond of 
bathing and should be 
often indulged in this 
cleanly habit, and when 
they will not bathe ol 
their own free will, ex- 
pose to a warm shower 
in summer or a bath ap- 
There are two kinds, the 
DOUBLE YELLOW head and the single yellow head ; the 
former being the better bird of the two, and a healthy young 
specimen of which is worth $12.00 to I25.00. A Single Yel- 
low Head is worth $10.00 to |i8.oo. These are the prices 
for bright, active birds. 

Talking birds of either of these varieties are worth from 
I25.00, up to the most fabulous prices. We know of one 
Mexican Parrot of the Double Yellow kind that can sing 
portions of over a dozen popular songs, and there is hardly 
a day passes that she does not add. some word or sentence 
to her already large vocabulary. Five hundred dollars 
have been offered and refused for this wonderful bird. 

Never teach a young Parrot the silly phrases " Pretty 
Polly;" "Polly wants a cracker," etc., but rather call your 
bird by some other name than Polly, and learn it something 
less Stale, flat, and unprofitable than such nonsense. 




plied by a garden syringe. 



I02 



THE CUBAN PARROT. 



These Parrots are brought here in vast quantities every 
year from Cuba; and, although 
rather small birds, they make niost 
excellent talkers, and learn very 
readily. They aie green in plumage, 
with markings of black; and have a 
face of rose, edged with white They 
require a rather small cage, and the 
treatment they need differs in no way 
from the general rules laid down 
previously. A good specimen, in 
the Fall, is worth $5.00; and the 
price advances towards Christmas 
to |8.oo. 

The Trinidad Parrot resembles 
the above in color and size, but has 
not the rose face; the price is the same. 




THE GRAY PARROT. 



This bird, both on account of its docility, when tamed, 
and its superior intelligence, is among tiie foremost of the 
Parrots. In size, the Gray Parrot varies from nine to twelve 

inches in length, Its bill is black, 

strong, and much hooked, and the 

orbits and space between is covered 

with a bald white skin. The entire 

body is of a pearl gray, and the tail 

of a deep bright scarlet. When 

.properly treated, it is oneof the 

most healthy ani^ longest-lived of 

Parrots. It makes a most excellent 

whistler, and will readily pick up 

taking airs that are repeatedly 

whistled to it. Never give a Gray Parrot water t > drink, 

as it requires none, except such as is in the soft food 

prescribed. 

A healthy young bird is worth from |i^.oo to |i8.oo. In 
buying a Gray Parrot, be careful not to get one that has 
been brought from Liverpool on a steamer. These birds 
are always' stowed in an unventilated box axid keot in the 




lOJ 



engine-ioom, where they get impregnated with smoke and 
soot; and blood poisoning thus contracted, soon carries 
them oflf, even if seemingly healthy when bought. The 
healthy birds are brought on sailing vessels direct from 
Africa to this country. 

We illustrate a stylish cage for a Gray Parrot. It is made 
of solid brass throughout, and has horizontal in'^tead of 
vertical bars. The swing and perches are of hard wood, 
and the feed cups are enameled. Price, I9.0G. 



THE COCKATOO. 



These curious members of the Parrot family are easily 

tamed, and although they 
rarely make good talkers^ 
they become very affec- 
tionate towards their keep- 
er. The most common of 
the species, the Sulphur 
Crested Cockatoo, is a 
splendid bird. The plum- 
age is snowy white, with a 
tinge of lemon on the 
feathery crown that sur- 
mounts the head, and 
which he can expand at 
pleasure. The longest 
feathers of the crest meas- 
ures about seven inches. 
He should be kept on a 
perch and treated as di- 
rected for Parrots. The 
price of a good specimen 
of Cockatoo, ranges from $15.00 to I30.00. 

The Rose-Breasted Cockatoo is no larger than a Gray 
Parrot. The back and tail is of a soft dove color, while the 
breast and crest are of a beautiful rose. They often make 
most excellent talkers and are very affectionate when thor- 
oughly tamed. They should be kept in an ordinary parrot 
cage, and require a diet of canary seed and the soft food 




described under the general management of Parrots, 
price ranges from |6.oo to I15.00. 



The 



lOA 



THE BLUE MOUNTAIN LORY. 



The Lory is of slighter build than other Parrots. The 

bealc is more oval 
and slender and is 
prolonged before 
coming to a point. 

The Blue Moun- 
tain Lory is the 
variety most com- 
monly met with. 
His size is about 
that of a Pigeon 
and the plumage is 
most gorgeous, be- 
i n g commingled 
blue, scarlet, pur- 
ple, and yellow. 
He will, if patiently 
taught, learn to ar- 
ticulate words and even sentences. Feed him on plain ca- 
nary seed, and occasionally ripe fruits of any kind. The 
price of a good specimen is $13.00. 

A suitable cage for the Blue Mountain Lory, in solid 
brass, is worth $6.00. 




THE KING LORY» 



This is the most beautiful of the Lory f-imil> and has a 
resplendent plumage of deep cardinal and bright green, — 
Their wonderful beauty is the only quality that recommends 
them as cage pets, as they seldom can be taught to talk and 
never become quite so tame as the Blue Mountain Lory. 

The same diet and general treatment is required as for 
other members of the Lory family, but they are rather more 
delicate than the preceding variety and care should be taken 
that the cage is not hung in a draft of air or where it is cold. 
A small sized Parrot cage is required, the bottom of whick 
should be daily strewn with coarse gravel. 
A good specimen is worth $1$. 



foy 



THE BLUE HEAD AMAZON PARRO'l. 

This variety resembles 
the Yellow Head Parrot 
in everything exceptin^- 
the head, which is blue 
and yellow, instead of all 
yellow. It is also some- 
what smaller. The same 
sort of a cage or stand is 
required as for other Par- 
rots of similar size. They" 
are quite hardy, not sub- 
ject to disease, and makr 
excellent talkers. They 
. soon become very famil- 
iar with the person who 
feeds them, and will allow 
themselves to be handled. 
They are more apt to at- 
tach themselves to one- 
person and often will not 
allow other members or 
the family to approach 
r.«^ them. 
Young Parrots of this variety will be sold under the 
guarantee of their talking inside of ninety days. They are 
worth from |8.co to I15.00 each. 




BIRD FOOD GO'S PREPARATIONS FOR PARROTS, 



Parrot Food, in boxes 15 cents, by mail 25 cents. 

" Seed, " 12 " " " 20 " 

Red Gravel, pints 5 " " " 35 " 

Bird Bitters, per bottle, 25 " by mail same price. 

Mexican Salve, per box 25 " " " 



:306 



BIRD CAGES, ETC. 



As we keep several hundred different styles or bird cages 
at is impossible in this little book to describe only a few of 
'those most popular. We deal only in the best makes 
•and do not handle the cheaply gotten-up cages that tarnish 
and fall to pieces after a few months u e. Such persons as 
cannot make asatifactory selection from the ones illustrated 
in this book, can by sending ten cents have our large illus- 
trated catalogue of cages mailed to them. 




MOCKING BIRD CAGES. 



Made of black walnut with tinned wire. Food cups are 25 
cents per pair, extra; 20 inches long, I1.75; 22 inches long, 
.$2.00; 24 inches long, $2.50; 26 inches long, $2.75; 28 inches 
long, $3.0030 inches long, $3.50. The last two sizes with 
twined posts, I4.00 and I5.00 each. 



CAGES FOR RED BIRDS. 



Same style as for mocking birds but with seed box, 20 
inches long, |2.oo; 22 inches long, I2.25; 24 inches long, 
.;|2.5o. 



BRASS CAGES. 












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No. H 345. 

Oblong Square. 

Body •" 13 X 83^ inches. 

Base - - - - - - 1^ X 11 J^ inches. 

Height .-....- 19 inches. 

Price $3.50. With Patent Removable Mat, $3.60. 
Cups and Metal Tipped Perches. 



Albebeen Polishing Bali^s.— For cleaning brass and metal ol 
all kinds. They are unequalled among all cleansing preparations. 
They quickly lemove all tarnish ; oxidation and discoloration from 
silver, brass, nickel, plate glass mirrors, etc. The work can be «afely 
and quif>kly done in half the the usual time. Price 10 cents per ball, 
8a,me price by mail. 




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MOCKING BIRD AND BREEDING CAGES. 




BREEDING CAGES. Tinned Wive. Walnut Frame. Zinc Drawer. 

iNo. 1. 12x18 inches S1.25 eacli. 

12x20 " 1.75 " 

18x22 " 2.2t " 

13x24 " 2.75 " 

Fixtures for the above cages, complete, 25 cents extra. 




MOCKING BIRD CAGES. 

No. 1, Length. 253^ in., Width, 15 m., Height, 24 in. Price, $3.67. 

No. 2, " 233^" '■ 13}^" '' 22K " " 3.2»- 

Extra large" 30 " ' 173.^" "26 " " iM 



CAGE FIXTURES. 



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Climax Cups. 
Opal Glass, with 

Brass Tops. 
Price 10 cents. 



Opal Crown Cups. 
Price 10 cents. 





Opal Gild Band Cups. Glass Feed Bottles 
Price 10 cents. for "Wood Cages. 

Price 10 cts. 





Bird Baths ^ 

China (two in a nest.) Sets. 





Willow Birds' Nests, 10 cents. 
Wire Birds' JSesta, 10 eents. 



Cage Brackets. No. 1, 
Price 10 cents. 




No. 0, Japanned. 10 cts. 

No. 00. Maroon Finish, 15 cts 



No. 1}4, Maroon, Price 15 cts. 




No. 11, All Solid Brass Bracket, Polished jilate. Price 50 cents. i 




Cage Bracket No. 2. Price 15 cents. 




ALL WIRE CAGE BRACKETS, I 

No. 12. The cheapest Bracket in the Market. Price 5 cents. 



J18 



BRIGHT TIN SQUIRREL CAGES, 




i Wire Front, wheel outside. 

No. 1, for Chipmunks. Wheel 6 in. diameter, $2,25* 

No. 2, for Bed Squirrel. Whe« 11 inches, - $2.60i 

l^To. 3, for Gray Squirrel. Wheel 9i incnes, - $S.00t 

Ko, 4, for Gray SquirreL Wheel 10^ inches, - $3.50tr 




INDEX. 



African Finches,.. 64-68 

African Love Birds 94 

African Parrot ....102 

Amazon Parrot .......105 

American Blue Jay 78 

American Goldfinch 46 

American 'Robin 86 

American Thrush 87 

Australian Parrakeet 92 

Avadavat 65 

Aviary C:iL:es 23 

Baltimore Oriole 82 

Black-Cap 74 

Black-Headed Nun 66 

Blue Bird 85 

Blue head Parrot 105 

Blue Jay 78 

Blue Mountain Lory 104 

Blue Robin 8s 

Blue Rock Parrot...., 99 

Bobolink 55 

Brazilian Cardinal 57 

Bullfinch 50 

Canaries 27-44 

American-Bred. 40 

Belgian 42 

Breeding 28 

Breeding for pro- 
fit 33 

Breeding in a 
room uncaged 32 



Cinnamon 40 

Different Varie- 
ties..... t;j 

French 41 

German or Song 37 

Lizard 43 

London Fancy.. 43 
Manchester 

Coppy.. ......... 44 

Mule Birds 35 

Norwich 40 

Proper care of... 27 
Red or Cayenne 39 
Scotch Fancy... 41 

Yorkshire 42 

Cages, Etc 106-118 

Cardinal Grosbeak 56 

Cat-Bird 80 

Cedar Bird 63 

Chaffinch..... 52 

Chestnut Finch 64 

Cinder Finch 68 

Ciril Finch .... 54 

Citral Finch.... 63 

Cockateel 93 

Cockatoo... 103 

Corden-Bleu 67 

Crow 86 

Crossbill 53 

Cuban Parrot 103 

Cut-Throat Cockatoo loa 



ISO 



Cm-Throat Finch 66 

Diamond Sparrow 67 

Diseases of Cage Birds... 13 

Diseases of Parrots 95 

English Blackbird, 75 

English Robin 76 

English Thrush 74 

European Jay 79 

Fire Finch.. 68 

Golden Robin 82 

Goldfinch 45 

Greenfinch 47 

Grass Parrakeet..... 92 

Gray Parrot ....102 

Hawfinch 58 

Hermit Thrush 57 

How we sell Parrots 94 

In-Door Aviary 18 

Indigo Finch 61 

Jackdaw 84 

Japanese Robin 76 

Java Sparrow 58 

King Lory 104 

Linnet 48 

Lories ...........104 

Love Birds.... 94 

Macaw ........100 

Magpie 77 

Magpie Finch 67 

]\Ianakin 66 

Maricabo Parrakeet 93 

Maricabo Parrot 99 

Mino 77 

Mocking Bird 68 

Mule Birds 35 

Nestling Food... 17 

Nightingale 73 

Nonpareil 55 

Nutmeg Finch r. 64 

Orange Cheek Waxbill... 67 

©riole 82 

Out-Door Aviary 21 



Parrakeets 91-94 

Parrots 94-105 

Quail 9091 

American 91 

California 90 

European 90 

Quaker Love Birds 94 

Raven 80 

Red Bird ,, 56 

Red Linnet 53 

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak 63 

Redstart... 72 

Red-Winged Blackbird... 62 

Redpoll 88 

Ring Dove 89 

Rose-Breasted Cockatoo. 103 

Scarlet Tanager 88 

Seed-Eating Birds 9 

Sending Birds by Express 7 

Serin Finch 54 

Silverbeak 65 

Siskin.. 49 

Skylark 81 

Soft Billed Birds 12 

Starling 84 

StuflSng Birds 26 

Sulphur Crested Cocka- 
too 103 

Swamp Robin 85 

Thrasher 87 

Titmice 59 

Trapping Birds 25 

Tropial 83 

Waxbill 64 

Weaver Bird 61 

Whidah Bird 60 

White Dove 89 

White-Headed Nun 65 

Woodlark 82 

Yellowhammer 62 

Zebra Finch 65 



RETAIL PRICES FOR THE 

BIRD FOOD GO'S PREPARATIONS. 

(continued from inside of fkont cover. ) 

Prepared Mocking Bird Food, 35 cts. per jar, 

Contents of a jar by mail, 40 ct^ 
Dry Mocking Bird Food, 25 cts per box 



Parrot Food, 
" Seed, 
Bird Bitters, 
Pijieon Food, 
Mite Exterminator, 
Bird Eye Water, 
Moulting Pepper, 
Aquarium Cement, 
Fish Food, 

Chicken Cholera Pills, 
Poidtry Powder, 
Nestling Food, 
Nesting Hair, 



Contents of a box by n 
15 cts. per pint, by n 



10 
25 
10 
25 
25 
25 
25 
10 
25 
25 
25 
5 






U 
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t( 
U 
11 



II 
(1 



vial, 
pint, 
box, 
vial, 
box, 



It 



II 



Pat, Cuttle Bone, with Fastening, large 



Ant Eggs, 
Meal Worms, 
ISIexican Salve, 
Sunflower Seed, bulk, 
Unhulled Pace, " 

French Millet Seed " 



II 



11 
II 



II II 



10 cts. per oz. 
25 cts, per 100, 
25 cts. per box, 
10 cts. per lb. 

per lb. 

per lb. 

per lb. 

per lb. 

per lb. 



German 
Russian Hemp 
German Rape 
Sicily Canary 
Maw Seed, 
The Poultry Doctor 
The Domestic Cat, 

The Toy Dog, . 

Fanciers' Hand Book on Poultry, 

Bird Food Co's Book on Birds, 

Fanciers' Hand Book on Dogs, 

Free Book on Birds, 

Free Book on Dogs, 

Free Book on Horses and Cattle, 



10 cts 

10 cts 

5 cts. 

5 cts, 

6 cts. ^ 
6 cts. per lb 

10 cts. per lb 
) Valuable Books 
I written by 
r the late 

John £. Diehi. 



I By 



lail, 35 CI*. 

lail, 25 ' 

" 25 ' 

" 25 " 

'' 25 " 

a 25 " 

<' 25 " 

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1. 40 M 

" 16 '• 

11 25 •' 

a 45 «. 

«' 30 " 
u 8 '^ 
" 5 

«« 10 

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" 26 

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" 20 

<« 20 

a 25 

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mail 25 
each. 



ceEK 



1 



By mail each 15 cri.., 

Mailed to any addf«»» 

on application 

without charg«- 



Fanciers' Hand=Books. 



No. !.— CAGt-". Bii.'DS.— Co"taiiing over 150 
engravings and a lithographic plai esliowiug 
all'ihe ditTerenc kinds of Fancy Canari sin 
their natuial colors, full information in re- 
gard to Song and Fancy Canaries and how to 
breed them for proflr,. Hints on the treat- 
ment and breeding of all kinds of cage birds, 
with description of their diseases and the 
remedies needed to cure them. All about 
Parrots and how to teach them to talk. In- 
structions for building and stocking an 
aviary. Mailed to any address ou receipt of 
price— 15 cents. 

No. 2.— The Dog Bttyeks' Guide.— A 
complete hand book for both the profession- 
al and amateur fancier. Contains a finely 
executed colored frontispiece. lUustrateil 
by over 100 well drawn engravings of nearly 
all breeds of dogs, also gives all the points 
of a typical specimen of the different varie- 
ties. Instructions for treating diseases. A 
chapter on ferrets. Also all fe;inds of dog 
fumisliing goods. It is worth a great deal 
more than the price asked for it— 15 cents. 

No. 3.— Fancy Pottltry.— A complete 
guide for breeding land and water fowls of 
all kinds. Contains 120 pages, a beautiful 
lithographic plate of a group of different 
fowls in their natural colors, engravings of 



all varieties of poultry. Plans for poultry 
houses. How to manage an incubator. AU 
altout caponizing, and the value of oiffprent 
biee<ls. Will be mailed to any address on 
receipt of 15 cents. 

No. 4.— The Toy Dog.— Treating of his 
origin and the different varieties. How to 
select, breed and manage them. Their dis- 
eases, and symptoms, with remedies for the 
same by homoeopathic and allopathic treat- 
ments. By the late John E. Diehl. Mailed 
on receipt of 25 cents. ( 

No. 5.— The Domestic Cat.— A valuabife 
little book, de^^cribing the different breeds 
and varieties of cats, how to keep and rear 
them. Their diseases, with symptonis and 
remedies. This book is invaluable to the 
owners of cats. Wiitten by John E. Diehl. 
Mailed on receipt of 25 cents. 

No. 6.— The Pout.tkv Doctor.— A valu- 
able little volume for the I under and breed- 
er of poultry. Showing how to rear and 
keep poultry. Giving symptoms of their 
different ailments with treatment by allo- 
pathic and homoeop^-hic remedies. The last 
and best book "'f John E. Diehl, American 
Poultry Association Judge. Mailed on the 
rece'ptof 25 cents, in stamps or Post Office 
Money order. 



A complete set of the above six books will be mailed on receipt of $1.00. 
Remit for all the above books to 

The Philadelphia Bird Food Co., 

400 North Third Street, 

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




002 844 301 8 



